Augustus Flashcards
When was Rome founded according to legend?
By King Romulus (speculative)
What event marked the foundation of the Roman Republic?
Expulsion of King Tarquinius Superbus
What was the highest office in the Roman Republic?
The consul, 2 shared power annually
Who was Augutus before he adopted this name?
Gaius Octavius, later renamed Augustus
What is the Res Gestae?
Augustus’ autobiography, inscribed on bronze pillars outside Augustus’ mausoleum, detailing his achievements
Which biography is considered the next most reliable source on Augustus after the Res Gestae?
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus
Who adopted Augustus posthumously?
His maternal great-uncle, Julius Caesar
What was the ‘ius trium liberorum’ granted to Suetonius?
entailed certain privileges and was customarily granted to fathers of three children in Rome (right of 3 children)
- didn’t have any children tho
- granted to him as honorary privilege b y Emperor Hadrian
- basically giving him tax exemptions
Why was Suetonius dismissed?
problems with authority
had an affair with emperor Hadrian’s wife
What was the “Cursus Honorum”?
The Ladder of Honours
- sequential order of public offices
What was did this passage mean?
Cassius Dio, Roman History 53.19.6
○ Hence in my own narrative of later events, so far as they need to be mentioned,
everything that I shall say will be in accordance with the reports that have been
given out, whether it be really truth or otherwise. In addition to these reports,
however, my own opinion will be given, as far as possible, whenever I have been
able, from the abundant evidence which I have gathered from my reading, from
hearsay, and from what I have seen, to form a judgment that differs from the
common report.
Cassius Dio explains he has done the best he can to write the truth?
Where was Augustus born?
Tapapabula
- center of rome
- palantine
Where did Augustus die?
Outside the city
Augustus’s father was “novus homo”, what does that mean?
- first person in the family to enter senate
- successful to governor
How is Augustus related to Julius Ceasar?
Augustus is Julius Caesar’s great-nephew by blood.
What did Augustus do with Caesar before and when he died?
Followed caesar to military campaigns, won decorations
- fought against pompey’s son
- was given military command when Caesar died
Caesar won what against Pompey?
Civil war
Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?
- Idea of monarchy
- proclaimed dictator
- Rome had been anti monarchy since the fall of the kings
What happened during the Battle of Ludna?
Augustus fights alongside two consuls Panza and Hurtius to defend Decimus Brutus (one of Julius assassins)
- doesn’t make sense if he wants to avenge Julius
- Fights against Mark Anthony (friend of Julius)
tldr; defended assassins of Julius, didn’t make sense
- Octavian wanted to be council, but Anthony was getting in his way
After the battle, Octavian seemed to support Anthony
What was the significance of the Second Triumvirate?
Gave Augustus, Mark Antony, and Lepidus powers to legislate and govern without Senate approval
- not a monarchy, but essentially had control over everything
not successful partnership
What happened during the Battle of Philipi?
- It was years after Triumviri was formed
- Octavian and Mark Anthony defeated assassins of Julius
What was the Battle of Perusia?
It was a conflict between Mark Anthony and Octavian
- Declared Anthony as an enemy, when reading his will of naming Cleopatra as heir
What happened in the Battle of Actium?
Battle between Octavian and Mark Anthony
- Octavian was successful:
he killed Anthony’s eldest son, but let younger son and daughter live - killed Julius’s son
What followed the Battle of Actium?
After Antony and Cleopatra’s defeat, they committed suicide
- Octavian then became sole ruler and empire actually began
