Museum of the Ara Pacis

Rome & Empire with Darius Arya Digs

The Are Pacis (Altar of Peace) of Augustus is arguably the best preserved monument from the reign of Augustus (31 BC- AD 14). It is also in an impressive setting, centro Rome's latest museum creation, by architect Richard Meier, in traditionally Roman travertine stone, with massive windows and sunroof, matched with an integrated series of videos, panels, models, casts and lighting. It is truly a rich, layered presentation of the reconstructed altar, product of a series of complex excavations spanning several centuries. Darius presents the museum setting between the Tiber River and Mausoleum of Augustus (currently under restoration) and examines the altar and the history of the excavation that led to the creation of the Fascist museum, now updated with Meier's 21st century construction.