After Augustus (reigned 27 BCE-14 CE) consolidated Roman power and established what became known as the Roman Empire, he attempted to re-create the grandeur of classical Athens in Rome. In his monuments, Augustus copied timeless Greek models with ideal forms. This portrait of Augustus combines the elements of an individualized likeness with the smooth, youthful appearance of a god. The top and proper left side of the head are flattened in order to join additional attributes that no longer survive, in this case, likely a section of his toga, which would have been pulled up to cover part of his head in order to indicate that the emperor was engaged in a ritual act.