Monument of Augustus
This is the victory monument-trophy of the naval battle of Actium, erected by Octavian Augustus to commemorate his victory over Antony and Cleopatra and the dominance of Rome in the Eastern Mediterranean. Built in 28 BC on the hill of Michalitsi, in a position with a panoramic view, it was a sanctuary dedicated to the gods Apollo, Poseidon and Ares, who helped the emperor Augustus achieve this glorious victory. Sources state that Octavian himself had set up his headquarters in this location on the eve of the sea battle.
The monument was built on an artificial terrace, the façade of which was adorned with the bronze rams of the defeated fleet (Antony and Cleopatra). Above the five-stepped crepidoma, limestone blocks were placed bearing a long dedicatory Latin inscription. According to parts of the inscription identified to date, we can read that Octavian “…dedicated the camp to Poseidon and Ares from which he stormed against the enemy, which is now adorned with the spoils of ships”. The center of the outdoor space on the upper level was occupied by a monumental oblong altar, richly decorated, the foundation of which is still preserved. About thirty small vessels, perforated at the base, were found in fragments around the atrium.
On the north side there was a Π-shaped gallery, open to the south, where the prominent altar was located, with relief representations of exceptional art depicting the triumph of Augustus.
After the death of Augustus in the 1st century AD, a new rectangular part was added on the northern side, which was probably dedicated to the imperial cult (Aedes Augustalium).
It should be noted that the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is supporting the Nikopolis Research Association with a grant for the preservation, recording, documentation and study of the relief fragments that were revealed during the excavations at the Monument, as well as the development of a scientific publication for the presentation of the findings.
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