19 August 2014: Bimillennium of the death of Augustus

Augustus died at Nola on August 19, A.D. 14. The two thousandth anniversary of his death, celebrated through a series of initiatives promoted by Roma Capitale, Assessorato alla Cultura, Creatività e Promozione Artistica – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali with the organization of Zètema Progetto Cultura, is the occasion to explore the life and achievements of the first Roman emperor, who helped to transform Rome into a cosmopolitan city, an operation that  can be best summarized by his famous phrase: “I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble”.

On this occasion the city of Rome has organized the following events:

The Colours of the Ara Pacis is back with its light projections on both the western front of the altar, with panels of Aeneas and the Lupercal, and on the eastern front, with those of Tellus, the goddess Roma and the great vegetal frieze.
Special late night opening  of the Ara Pacis Museum on August 19th, from 21.00 to 24.00 (last admission at 23.00), with the screenings of "The Colours of the Ara Pacis" and the exhibition "The Art of the Command. The Legacy of Augustus" (tickets: € 11,00).

Guided tours of the Mausoleum of Augustus organized by the Sovrintendenza Capitolina (max 30 per guided tour, advance phone booking required at +39060608):
- at 9.30 tour held by Dr. Elisabetta Bianchi, an archaeologist of the Sovrintendenza Capitolina;
- at 10.30 tour held by Dr. Monica Ceci, an archaeologist of the Sovrintendenza Capitolina;
- at 11.30 tour held by Dr. Simonetta Serra, an archaeologist of the Sovrintendenza Capitolina.
 
Exhibitions for the two thousandth anniversary of Augustus’ death:
- The Art of the Command. The Legacy of Augustus – at the Ara Pacis Museum until 7 September 2014. Info here.
- Keys To Rome – at the Mercati di Traiano Museo dei Fori Imperiali from 24September, 2014 to 12 April, 2015. Info here.

Forum of Augustus. 2000 years later, a journey through history  conceived and curated by Piero Angela and Paco Lanciano with the historic collaboration of Gaetano Capasso.  Showings will be repeated every night from April 22 to September 28, 2014 (from Monday to Sunday at 21.00, 22.00 and 23.00, lasting 40 minutes).

TYRTARION at the Mercati di Traiano, a spectacular show to celebrate Augustus will be staged in the evocative setting of the Trajan’s Markets on August 30th at 19.00 and repeated on August 31st: the poets of the Augustan age "sung" and set to music by the students of the Accademia Vivarium Novum. Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Catullus return to be recited and sung to celebrate the Emperor Augustus in the language of ancient Rome: Latin.