Die Sonne, der Obelisk und die Ara Pacis Augustae/ The Sun, the Obelisk, and the Ara Pacis Augustae

Abstract

From the fact that Rome lies at 41.9° northern latitude, the distance of the ara pacis Augustae from the obelisk was 85 m, the length of the obelisk is 30m and its shadow did not reach the ara during the summer half and reached it, provided the sun did shine, daily during the winter half it is concluded that the ara was situated 18.45° north of the west-east axis, and the shadow reached the ara at 16 o’clock and 24 minutes central European winter time.