1.1 Augustus 31BC-AD 14 Flashcards
1
Q
Battle of Actium 31BC
A
- Octavian + Senatorial forces vs Mark Antony + Cleopatra’s army. Octavian was successful, Mark Antony and Cleopatra survived but killed themselves in 30 BC, being decisively beaten.
- Octavian dedicated the victory to Apollo, creating the image of being a pious leader with the gods on his side
2
Q
4 things
Establishing the victory of the Battle of Actium
A
- Octavian enlarged a temple dedicated to Apollo
- He dedicated his camp to Neptune and Mars, embellishing it with trophies from Antony’s ships, also establishing a monument there. (he stated that Caesar also dedicated his camp to Neptune and Mars, meaning that the gods were in his side and aided his victory)
- 29 BC: Octavian founded the city of Nikopolis (victory city), with an inscription suggesting the motivations for the battle were the burden and result of his political position
- He held victory games there every five years. Agrippa’s involvement, Antony and Cleopatra’s deaths, major details about the battle and who the enemy is had been omitted, to fully credit Caesar)
3
Q
Octavian’s popularity after Actium
A
- In the Res Gestate, Augustus claims he received an overwhelming amount of support with people swearing oaths and having hundreds of senators under him, the source is not fully reliable as Augustus is making himself the victor and supreme.
- Velleius Paterculus says that Augustus was popular no matter what, aided by the hosting of public games, source slightly unreliable as VP wrote under Tiberius and couldn’t be fully in support of Augustus.
- Octavian consolidated his popularity by publishing works that portrayed him positively in addition to hosting games which he used to spew propaganda and appeal to the general public
4
Q
Literature post Actium
A
- Horace, Odes, 1.37 conveys that the atmosphere in Rome was victorious, long overdue as Rome should rejoice as they won a war against the Egyptians, NOT a civil war. War also didn’t fall to slavery. Cleopatra is presented as reckless and absent of her senses, drinking and acting carelessly without noticing “real terrors” until her army was almost defeated. She is delusional, proud and noble. Cleopatra and Octavian are presented as watchful and brutal whilst people were dying, she is prey to Octavian which gives her an air of innocence. Horace presents Cleopatra as villainous and Octavian as a master who’d hold her captive until she fails.
- Virgil’s Aeneid, 8.671-731 portrays Octavian as divinely inspired and powerful. Virgil includes Mark Antony to glorify Octavian’s success against such strong opposition. The atmosphere in Rome is victorious and delighted at the victory and Octavian’s return. The reliability isn’t fully there as the Aeneid was commissioned by Augustus.
5
Q
Augustus’ military achievements
‘Armenia Capta’ Aureus, 20/19-18 BC. Obv: Augustus, head bare. Rev: Victory cutting a bull’s throat, “Armenia has been captured”, celebrating the capture of Armenia and its establishment as a client kingdom
A
- Triple Triumph, day 1: victories over the Pannonians and Dalmatians, day 2: the naval victory at Actium, day 3: subjugation of Egypt including an effigy of Cleopatra and her children Cleopatra Selene and Alexander. This triumph appealed to the people of Rome for support, they forgot about their hardships and wanted to help. It appesed the Senate as they were allowed to parade with Octavian.
- Triumphal arch at Rimini creates the impression that Octavian is generous, victorious and willing to gain the people’s support. To the illiterate the arch is impressive, imposed by its size and glamour. To the literate it seems excessive and his achievements impossible. He is establishing a new precedent.
- To appease the people, Octavian presented gifts, cancelled debts and granted money. Upon his supporters, he conveyed flags and sesterces. There were celebrations all over Italy including processions and 3 triumphs plus all citizens offered sacrifices.
6
Q
Pax Augusta and coins
A
- ‘Pax Augusta’ is the concept of stability and safety that Augustus brought to the Roman world. In the Res Gestate, the Pax Augusta is described as a period of peace after political dispute and war.
- Traditionally, peace is meant to be established by closing the doors of the Temple of Janus after a military achievement.
- Augustus created a faction of the greatest military magnates and gave himself titular honour.
- The Pax Augusta reinforced stability and safety without the military so that there isn’t another civil war.
- Coins present Octavian as a young, successful military leader (unlike the veristic portraits of the Republic). They are effective propaganda as coins ar very accessible to everyone
7
Q
Other military achievements
A
- Annexation of Egypt, 30 BC: After the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra, Egypt was annexed as a province of the Roman Empire, becoming one of its most valuable territories.
- Conquest of Spain: Augustus completed the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, including the Cantabrian Wars, 29-19 BC, which brought all of Spain under Roman control.
- Pacification of Gaul: Augustus consolidated Roman control over Gaul (modern France), establishing Roman rule more firmly and creating a stable frontier along the Rhine River.
- Alpine Campaigns,15 BC: Augustus’ stepsons, Drusus and Tiberius, led successful campaigns to subdue the Alpine tribes, securing the northern frontiers of Italy.
- Expansion into the Balkans: Augustus expanded Roman control into the Balkans, including the provinces of Illyricum and Pannonia, and the defeat of the Dacians and Thracians.
- Return of Parthian Standards, 20 BC: Augustus successfully negotiated the return of the Roman military standards lost by Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. This was a significant diplomatic victory and a propaganda triumph for Augustus, as it symbolised Rome’s power and prestige.
8
Q
Restoring traditional values and the Republic
A
- Introduction of Lex lulia - 18 BC: A set of morality laws passed by Augustus using his tribunicia potestas which aimed to promote marriage and legitimate offspring among the citizenry by giving benefits to those who were married and had children with appropriate spouses.
- Lex Papia Poppaea - 8 AD: A set of morality laws passed by the suffect consuls (Papius and Poppaeus) to strengthen the Lex lulia and close some loopholes. An example of this is aristocratic men getting engaged to babies, thus getting the benefits of marriage without the limitations.Ironically, both bachelors.
9
Q
Other means of restoring traditional values
A
- Census in 28 BC, 8 BC and AD 14
- The burning of the Sybilline books, only keeping them and burning others, suggesting that he didn’t want to restore the Republic and was removing traces of it
10
Q
Restoring traditional values and the Republic
A
Key events; introduction of the Lex lulia (18 BC), which aimed to promote marriage and legitimate offspring by giving benefits to those who were married and had children with appropriate spouses and the Lex Papia Poppaea (8 AD) which was passed by the suffect consuls Papius and Poppaeaus to strengthen the previous law and close some loopholes e.g aristocratic men getting engaged to babies, enjoying the benefits of marriage without the limitations
10
Q
Other means of restoring traditional values
A
- 3 censuses (28 BC, 8 BC and AD 14)
- Editing of the Sybilline books
- restoring the Augury of the Goddess Safety
- the office of Flamen Dialis
- the Lupercalia festival
- Saecular Games
- Cross- Roads festival
11
Q
Augustus, Religion and the Imperial Cult
A
- Augustus used religion to promote morality and proven himself to be a divinely appointed leader with the gods on his side at all times.
- Though he was a warrior, he was also a very pious man with an appropriate and adequate family that promoted Republican values, upholding the impression of the restoration of the Republic.
- Augustus used religion as propaganda and permitted the worship of his genius, but not his direct self, though this still occurred on the outskirts of Rome.
12
Q
Ara Pacis Case Study
A
- The Ara Pacis was built on the outskirts of Rome on the Campus Martius, it is an altar of Augustan peace commissioned in 13 BC to commemorate Augutus’ return from Spain and Gaul and dedicated (to Pax) in 9 BC.
- It is an open air altar for religious blood sacrifices
- All figures are clad appropriately for the celebration of peace, serving as a reminder of Republican values of family, marriage and children.
- The colleges of seven and fifteen are depicted. It serves as a reminder of Augustus’ successes to Rome.
13
Q
Administration of Rome and the Provinces
A
- City divided into 14 provinces
- senatorial and political positions revised
- moral laws reformed
- nightwatchman and fire brigade introduced
- controlling of published information.
- Edict 1:Appointing an equal number of Roman and Hellene jurors, proves he is influential in the provinces, benefits him and the Hellenes.
- Edict 2: Prohibiting Aulus Stlaccius Maximus from leaving Cyrene without his permission, proves he had support in Cyrene and that he had ultimate authority. Augustus’ policies had almost fully Romanised provincial life.
14
Q
Augustus’ Building Programme
A
- Public Buildings and Monuments: Augustus constructed and renovated numerous temples, forums, and public spaces, including the Temple of Mars Ultor, the Forum of Augustus, and the Altar of Peace (Ara Pacis).
- Infrastructure Improvements: Augustus invested heavily in improving Rome’s infrastructure, including aqueducts, roads, and public baths. He also restored older buildings and public facilities, ensuring that Rome’s infrastructure was modern and functional.
- Civic and Social Spaces: The construction of theatres, amphitheatres, and other entertainment venues provided spaces for public gatherings and festivities, promoting social cohesion and Roman identity.
15
Q
Relations with the equestrians and ordinary people of Rome
A
- Plebs: Augustus used largesse to win popularity e.g seducing the soldiery with gifts, congiaria to bolster his popularity e.g 400 secsterces each in 24 BC and public entertainment to gain support. Augustus gave people what they wanted/ needed to keep up the idea that he had saved the people and was serving them well.
- Equestrians: Increased opportunities for wealth and influence via administrative and financial roles: Augustus expanded the role of equestrians by assigning them to key positions, such as managing the grain supply (praefectus annonae), overseeing the fire brigade (praefectus vigilum), and running the Roman mint. This allowed equestrians to accumulate wealth and gain influence within the empire.
Military Commands: Equestrians were often appointed to important military commands, particularly as commanders of the auxiliary forces and as prefects of Egypt. These provided opportunities for wealth through war and provincial administration but also increased their prestige.
Social Elevation: Augustus granted equestrians the opportunity to move into the senatorial class. Through service in government and military, some could earn their way into the Senate, which was traditionally the domain of the nobility. This upward mobility was a significant incentive for loyalty to Augustus.
Legal Privileges: The ius equitum, or the legal rights specific to the equestrian class, were reinforced and expanded under Augustus. They enjoyed certain legal protections and privileges, such as exemption from corporal punishment and a special court system.
