Augustus Princeps

Question 1

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Answer 1

A first-person obituary detailing the life and accomplishments of Augustus, serving as a propaganda machine after his death.

Question 2

Aftermath of Caesar’s Assassination

Answer 2

Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE was intended to restore Republican governance.
Instead, Libertas Restituta was overthrown, leading to the emergence of major players like Marcus Antonius, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus.

Question 3

Major Players

Answer 3

Marcus Antonius: Co-Consul with Caesar, persuaded the Senate to compromise after Caesar’s death.
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus: Ally of Caesar, Consul in 46, Caesar’s deputy.
Caesar Octavianus: Caesar’s grandnephew, adopted son, formally adopted in Caesar’s will, ultimately emerges victorious.

Question 4

Conflict Continues

Answer 4

Octavian gains support, public sentiment shifts toward him.
Cicero’s Phillipic speeches against Antony.
Octavian awarded imperium, defeats Antony in Gaul, left in command of 8 legions at age 20.

Question 5

Second Triumvirate (43-32 BCE)

Answer 5

Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian reconcile to share power.
Essentially a three-man dictatorship.
Proscriptions and murders return, including Cicero’s death in Dec 43 BCE.

Question 6

Battle of Actium

Answer 6

Octavian’s navy cuts off Antony and Cleopatra.
Devastating sea battle in 31 BCE.
Antony and Cleopatra flee to Egypt, both taking their own lives.

Question 7

Foundation of the Principate

Answer 7

Octavian becomes the undisputed ruler of the Roman world.
Octavian frames Actium as the beginning of peace.
Celebrates triumph “over Illyricum, Greece, and Egypt.”

Question 8

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Answer 8

A record of Augustus’s life and accomplishments.
Propaganda machine operating after his death.
Monumental inscription in Rome, copied throughout the Empire.

Question 9

Augustan Principate

Answer 9

Senate technically independent but couldn’t operate without Octavian’s approval.
Octavian’s imperium is called maius (greater).
Voted the title Augustus, signifying reverence.

Question 10

Priorities in Res Gestae

Answer 10

Establishment and expansion of the Empire as a priority.
Generosity towards Rome and her people.
Quasi-worship motivated by the Senate and citizens.

Question 11

New Model of Power

Answer 11

Octavian’s refusal of dictatorship and curatorship of grain during a food shortage.
Handing over power to the senate after civil war in 27 BCE.
The title Augustus given for his virtues, mercy, justice, and piety.