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Primary sourceArtifactc. 2 BC – AD 14

Temple of Augustus, Pula

Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola · c. 2 BC – AD 14

A small marble provincial temple dedicated to Roma and Augustus, built in his lifetime, showing how his cult spread through the Roman provinces.

Built during Augustus's lifetime to worship him as part of a living ruler cult, showing his status in the provinces.

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Night photo of the Temple of Augustus in Pula, a small white marble Roman temple with a triangular pediment, six Corinthian-style columns across the front, and a central doorway, lit by floodlights against a dark blue sky, with buildings on either side and a stepped base in the foreground.
Temple of Augustus, Pula, Croatia, c. 2 BC – AD 14.

About this source

What it is

This is a small Roman temple in Pula, Croatia, probably built between 27 BC and Augustus's death in AD 14. It was built by the colony of Pietas Iulia Pola and dedicated to the goddess Roma and the emperor Augustus. It still stands in Pula today.

Why it matters

The temple is physical evidence of the 'emperor cult', in which Augustus was honoured almost like a god across the provinces of the empire, even while he was still alive. Its richly decorated frieze connects it to similar Roman monuments elsewhere, showing how Roman building styles and imperial propaganda spread far from Rome.

Look closer

  • Why might a provincial town choose to build a temple to a living ruler?
  • What does the choice of Corinthian columns and a pediment tell you about what the builders wanted the temple to communicate?
  • What does this building leave out about how people really felt about Roman rule?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Augustus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Black-and-white photograph of a large weathered marble inscription in Latin capital letters, arranged in horizontal lines across several panels, with a large white area where stone is missing on the left side.Document

Primary source

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Augustus · 14 AD

Line engraving of a curly-haired man in profile wearing a draped Roman cloak, one hand resting on a globe and the other holding a scroll, inside an ornate border. Title reads 'D. Oct. Augustus' with a text block below.Painting

Secondary source

Emperor Augustus with Globe

After Titian (engraving by A. Sadeler, after Titian) · between 1700 and 1799 (possibly 17th century)

Photograph of a marble sculpted head on a white background. It has short, wavy hair carved in curling locks, large almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids, a straight nose, and a small closed mouth. The neck is broken off at the bottom.Sculpture

Primary source

Relief Head of the Young Augustus

Marble statue of a standing man in armor, right arm raised pointing forward, with a draped cloak over his left arm. A small cupid-like figure with a dolphin stands beside his right leg. Plain dark grey background.Sculpture

Secondary source

Augustus of Prima Porta

c. 19 BCE or later

Marble enclosure of the Ara Pacis in a glass-walled museum hall, seen from the southwest. Carved relief panels decorate the walls, with a doorway and a stepped approach at the front.Artifact

Primary source

Ara Pacis

13-9 BCE

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