To what extent was the Ara Pacis an important part of Augustan propaganda?

Many aspects of the Ara Pacis contribute to its importance, both positively and negatively. Its very construction as a religious altar is hugely significant as its traditional Greek style supports Augustus' claims that Rome was returning to the golden age of the republic where religion and good morals were the centre-piece of society. The date of the altar is important for Augustus, as it follows directly after his military victories in Spain and Gaul. The title of this altar as that of Pacis (Peace) is significant for this as well, as after so many decades of civil war (for many it even spanned their entire lives) to even hear that peace could be achieved would have seemed like a miracle to the Romans. So, the timing of this altar after Augustus' campaign gave him the credit for that miracle, certainly improving his status and popularity amongst the Romans. Augustus, however, did not take explicit credit for any victories, as he himself is depicted in senatorial dress. It is Roma who is depicted sat, victorious atop a pile of enemy spoils, again promoting the Augustan idea of a united Rome fighting for one cause. The inclusion of Augustus himself, alongside his family, successors, and other well-known faces, brings the princeps explicitly before the eyes of the people in relation to all the other traditional and victorious imagery decorating the exterior; this solidifies (quite literally in stone) the idea that Augustus' regime was the next step in Roman history, following on from Aeneas and Romulus as the founder of a new Rome. As stated before, some elements of the Ara Pacis, when observed closely, do not quite match up with the message Augustus was trying to send. While the comparison to Aeneas and Romulus may seem apt to a modern audience, the fact that they were both kings and the Romans' hatred of kings must be taken into account. Augustus' image sits alongside both of these figures, tucked down the side of the altar, whilst Romulus and Aeneas are on the front. To a keen viewer, this could indicate Augustus' real intentions for his all-but-in-name monarchy as it is these two figures who sit in the positions of the gods, mimicked from the parthenon frieze, with the procession of senators leading the way to them. The goddesses Roma and Tellus are left behind, seemingly less important. Whether this was an intention of the sculptor to rebel against Augustus' regime, or simply a mistake of design, it is fair to say that some Romans would have noticed and perhaps doubted the transparency of Augustus. An often-overlooked detail of the Ara Pacis is within the carved foliage surrounding the bottom edge. There is depicted an unprotected birds' nest and a snake, ready to attack the eggs inside. The intended meaning of this image is mostly unknown, but no assumptions made by scholars have painted it in a good light for Augustus. A common reading is that it depicts the fragility of Augustus and the republic and any lapse in defence or focus would result in it collapsing.