Apollo was patron deity of Augustus, who believed Apollo granted him victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. Augustus built the Temple of Apollo Palatinus adjacent to his own residence on the Palatine Hill.
Augustus claimed descent from Ascanius through his alternative name Iulus, making the Julian family heirs of Venus. The Temple of Venus Genetrix and Virgil's Aeneid cemented the Ascanius-Iulus genealogy as imperial propaganda.
Augustus placed a golden statue of Victoria captured from Tarentum upon a new altar in the Senate House in 29 BCE, commemorating his victory at Actium and binding the goddess of triumph to the heart of Roman government for the next four centuries.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more