Augustus Flashcards
In what year was Augustus born?
63BC
In what year was Augustus included in Caesar’s triumphal celebration?
46BC
What year was Julius Caesar killed?
44BC
Who are the other potential heirs to Caesar?
Caesarion and Marc Antony
Who was in the Triumvirate?
Augustus, Marc Antony and Lepidus
In what year was Caesar deified?
42BC
In 42BC, who was defeated at the Battle of Phillipi, and committed suicide after?
Brutus and Cassius
In what year did the Triumvirate end and Augustus read Marc Antony’s will in the Senate?
32BC
What battle occurred in 31BC
The Battle of Actium
Who committed suicide in 30BC?
Marc Antony and Cleopatra
In what year was Augustus granted the name Augustus?
27BC
In what year was Augustus given the title ‘pater patriae’?
2BC
In what year did Augustus adopt Tiberius?
4AD
In what year was Tiberius’ tribune powers renewed for 10 years, and his authority becomes equal to Augustus?
13AD
In what year did Augustus and his daughter Julia die?
14AD
Where was the Res Gestae displayed?
In front of Augustus’ tomb in Rome.
What are the problems with the Res Gestae as a source?
Partial texts: takes Augustus’ viewpoint, omits details, fragmentary condition.
In Tacitus’ Annals, what is his opinion of Augustus and the Imperial system?
Hostile and cynical. Augustus buys affection or support. The system has changed - it is Republican in name only.
Why does Tacitus begin his account with Tiberius, rather than a full account of Augustus?
It’s the moment where Tiberius inherits all of Augustus’ powers that it changes from Republic to Monarchy.
Who is the source of this: “… the whole power of the people and senate passed to Augustus and from this time there existed what was really a monarchy…”
Cassius Dio
What do Cicero, Tacitus and Cassius Dio all have in common?
They are all part of the senatorial elite; they have a preconceived notion about how power should be held.
How reliable is the Res Gestae as a source for the Augustan period?
Not reliable, outright lies would have been difficult; so he does it by omission - not mentioning his role in the proscriptions and his earlier career where people viewed him negatively. It isn’t objective but we wouldn’t expect it to be.
Who is the source of this: “He twice thought of restoring the republic, first immediately after the overthrow of Antony … and again in the weariness of a lingering illness…?”
Suetonius, Augustus 28
