Chapter 2- Augustan Age Flashcards
Describe Caesar’s death
He was killed on the 15th of March 44BC in the Roman Forum by Republican Senators
When was Caesar grooming Octavian?
47-44BC He put him into the College of Pontifices as well as let him join in on his African Campaign triumph. Similarly, he allowed Octavian to join him on his Spanish campaign. He then adopted him into the patrician class and sent him to Macedonia for military training.
What was the impact of Caesar’s death?
Octavian becomes heir through his will
There is a power vacuum, triggering the civil war
Octavian outlines his goals: vengeance, secure future, honour the will
What were the main aspects of the settlement of 27BC?
Octavian wanted legitimate power, so he gave it ‘back to the people’ who then returned it to him- RES GESTAE
No one wanted Civil War
He claimed Egypt as his own- funded his plans
He gained Consulship- military power in Rome
He gained Proconsular Imperium- controlled most legions
With his military might, he was able to dictate majority of admin
Received Augustus title and became Princeps
What were the main aspects of the Settlement of 23BC?
Augustus needed a successor, Senate was restless, there had been attempted coups, no one wants civil war.
He gained Maius Imperium Proconsulare- ultimate military power
He gained Tribunician Potestas- veto laws, choose successor, man of the people, personal inviolability, began his reign?- SCULLARD, RG
Resigned consulship to appease Senate, stop monopoly
Also got censorial powers and consular imperium anyway.
What titles/honours did Augustus receive?
Imperator- 30BC Augustus- 27BC Princess Senatus- 28BC Princeps- 27BC Pontifex Maximus- 12BC Pater Patriae- 2BC
What were the effects of Caesar’s will?
Octavian would become heir- RG
He was disliked by Antony- JONES
He earned the legions’ loyalty
What alliances did Octavian form in his early career? How were they useful?
Alliance with Republicans: Octavian given Propraetor Imperium- CICERO. Octavian and two consuls fought Antony, but the consuls died- SUETONIUS
Alliance with Marc Antony: kept the legions and marched on Rome with 400 centurions demanding a consulship and outlawed Brutus and Cassius.
What was involved in the Prosciptions?
Hit list by the Triumvirate
Killed 2000 equestrians and 300 Senators, seizing property/assists to fun their campaigns
Republic was severely weakened- ECK
What was useful about the new Egyptian Province Octavian conquered?
It was a major source of grain
It provided future equestrian advancement
Provided a lot of wealth for paying clientele/legions
How did Octavian settle his Eastern Affairs after the Civil War?
Removed the ‘Donations of Alexandria’
Reinstated the old client kingdoms/provinces
What celebrations were involved with the end of the 100 year Civil War?
The Triple Triumph of 29BC
Closing the Temple of Janus- JONES
Earning popularity as the Saviour of Rome- SCULLARD
What was Octavian’s political position in 27BC?
Nobody wanted Civil War
Octavian wanted legalised power- give it back to the people?- RG
Wanted the guidance of the Senate
What were the main aspects of the Settlement of 27BC
Named Princeps and Augustus He gained Egypt as a province Received Proconsular Imperium Received Consulship Secured most of the power- could influence other matters
What was the impact of having Proconsular Imperium for Octavian?
It was not a radical move by the Senate- nothing new
He gained control of Gaul, Spain and Syria where most of the legions were- MILITARY POWER
He was able to then influence the Senate and the other provincial matters
What were the main aspects of the Settlement of 23BC.
He received Maius Imperium Proconsulare
He became a Tribune
He resigned his Consulship
Received Consular Imperium anyway, and censorial powers
What was the impact having Maius Imperium Proconsulare for Augustus?
He got power for protection of himself/Rome
Military power- more than the Senate and Proconsuls
He was able to control the admin of the provinces
What was the impact of becoming a Tribune for Augustus?
RG and SCULLARD
He was able to pass this power on, establishing a successor
He became a man of the people- as it was usually held by plebs
He and his family had personal inviolability
He could summon the Senate and legislate Assemblies
He could veto or propose laws
He would protect individuals against the magistrates
This began his reign
Why did Augustus reign his Consulship?
He feared he was monopolising the power too much, causing resentment in the Senate
As he was getting sick, the workload was too much
He wanted the Senate to run the administration
What were the various titles he received after the Civil War?
Imperator (30BC)- RG Augustus (27BC)- RG Princeps Senatus (28BC) Princeps (27BC)- Southern Pontifex Maximus (12BC)- Southern Pater Patriae (2BC)- RG
What other honours did Augustus receive after the war?
RG:
Door posts with bay leaves, Civic Crown, Golden Shield
2 Ovations, 3 curule triumphs, thanksgiving to the Gods
Regular prayers to Augustus’ health, Games
Why was Imagery of the Princeps important?
He needed to turn from Tyrant to Pater Patriae- RG
Used images as most people were illiterate
Provided focus for provincial loyalty- AWH
Art and architecture reflected the society- ZANKAR
Augustus was citizen who took government burden
What kind of statues of Augustus were presented?
Him in a toga- as a politican/philosopher
Him in battle dress- as a military general
Him in a garb- as a religious figure
What was Augustus’ relationship with the Senate generally?
He worked with them- he respected tradition- SCULLARD
He removed their military power, but needed their admin help- TACITUS
His influences:
political astuteness, conservatism, imperial needs and JC’s mistakes
How did he restore the Senate?
He edited the Senatorial lists
He made the membership conditions more stringent
He also regulated Senatorial behaviour
How did he alter the Senatorial lists?
JONES, SUETONIUS
He cut Senate numbers 4 times
From 1000 members to 800, then down to 600
He removed political rivals
By cutting the numbers, he made it a more prestigious class
How did he alter the membership conditions?
Previously, Senate membership was granted by birth
Now you had to have 1 million sesterces, military service, integrity
He financially aided some older families as a form of patronage
How did Augustus fix Senatorial behaviour?
Fines for non-attendance
You had to have permission to leave Italy
The Senate meeting would open with religious rites- SUETONIUS
He would pick random speaker to improve attention- SUETONIUS
He established required numbers for different quorums
How did Augustus work with the Senate?
He used his powers/autocritas to pass laws and bills
He also created the Consilium Principis- drafting committee
This turned the Senate into a formality- SCULLARD
He showed the Senate respect/gave them admin responsibility
Consequently, what were the Senate’s powers?
Judicial- Senatorial court, had some independence
Admin- ran aqueducts, corn supply, roads, public buildings
Legislation- advisory body
Financial- they controlled the treasuries
Foreign affairs- little involvement
Provincial admin- controlled Senatorial provinces
Who were the Equestrians?
They were originally knight, became the commercial class- SALMON
They took up civil service activities
Senators couldn’t partake in commercial activity, but equestrians didn’t have political influence- rivalry
What were Augustus’ aims with the Equestrians?
He wished to use them administratively, but keep republican traditions
Limit class rivalry- Concordium Ordinum
Use their admin skills- SCULLARD, SHOTTER
Increase his own power through patronage- SHOTTER
What were the results of Augustus’ reforms to the Equestrian order?
He had created a civil service/less corruption/efficient admin- SCULLARD
Provincial unrest declined- SHOTTER
He attracted ambitious men and ended class rivalry- SALMON a
What were Augustus’ reforms to the Freedmen class?
Lex Iunia 17BC- general restrictions, kids are Roman citizens
Lex Fulia Caninia 2BC- limited no. slaves freed by a master
Lex Aelia Sentia 4AD- limited freeing of Slaven with age limits
Which of Augustus’ Reforms worked and didn’t work?
Political worked Social didn't work Legal worked Religious worked Admin worked
What were his main political reforms?
MIP and Tribunician Potestas
He was a non-dictator
Reforms to the Senate
Reforms to the Equestrians
What were the Julian Laws?
SHOTTER
Adultery law- penalised adultery, restricted divorce
Marriage law- restricted interclass marriages
Family Law- rewarded having children, being married
Pappia Poppaea- revised previous, reward marriage/children
Sumptuary Laws- restricted inheritance, wealth, assets
How did Augustus reform the Legal system?
In Rome, he introduced more jurymen, more trial sitting days
Improved provincial trials- 5 man jury, 30 day verdict, Citizen court
Quaetiones court- Praetor run, serious, for citizens, right of appeal
New Courts- Adultery, Princeps, Senate
Augustus also sometimes acted as a judge- Suetonius
What were Augustus’ main administrative reforms?
Freedmen and Equestrians aided admin, Imperial/Senatorial Provinces Aerarium, Aerarium Militaire, Fisci Princeps controlled gold/silver coinage Senate controlled copper/bronze coinage Fixed up Rome
Who opposed Augustus?
Aemilius Lepidus the Younger Cornelius Gallus Marcus Primus Fannius Caepio and Varro Murena G. Cornelius Cinna Magnus M. Egnatius Rufus Julia I Julia II
Why did Augustus start the building program?
To show his patronage/autocritas and promote his family/Rome
Provide employment and improve public safety
Display piety, loyalty to family and start spiritual revival
SUETONIUS QUOTE
What was attached to the Augustum Forum?
The Temple of Mars, displaying statues of Mars, Venus and the Divine Julius
Why did Augustus wish to employ literary figures?
For their propaganda value.
They influence society and promote Augustus’ role- AWH
They could spread his ideals, act as publicists
Now he didn’t have to coerce the public- SHOTTER
What did Virgil write?
Eclogues, Georgics- countryside, farming
Aeneid- story of Aeneas, Julians, Augustus
What did Horace write?
The Satires/Epistles- presented the faults in Rome, promoted Augustus’ values
The Odes- presented virtues of Rome, promoted Augustus’ values
Carium Seculare- Song at Secular Games, honours Augustus
Also Epodes, Ars Poetica
What did Livy write?
Ab Urbe Conditi Libri- the history of Rome
Taught Augustan values
What did Ovid write?
Epistulae Herodium Fasti- first 6 months of year, celebrating festivals of Augustus
Are Amatoria- may have offended Augustus
What was Maecenas’ relationship with Augustus?
He was an old friend of Augustus, at his wedding with Scribonia
They worked on the Treaty of Brundisium together
He helped run Rome
He helped capture Marcus Aemilius Lepidus the Younger
He was Augustus’ PR specialist
What was the significance of the a imperial family and succession?
Augustus need a successor of Julian blood to avoid conflict and Civil War- SALMON
Political power now relied upon one’s relationship with the Princeps
How was Marcellus groomed for succession?
He was appointed aedile
How was Augustus’s grandson Gaius groomed as a successor?
He was promoted with propaganda, given the toga virile, a consulship at 19, Proconsular Imperium in the East
Who was Tiberius? What was his relationship with Augustus?
He was born in 42BC, the son of Livia, a Claudian.
He was a gifted general, fought with his brother in Germany- TACITUS
Augustus never favoured him- appoints him as a co-regent
He divorces Vipsania to marry Julia
He self-imposed exile (6BC-2AD) due to Gaius/Lucius and Julia
Augustus adopts him in 4AD, Tiberius then adopts Germanicus
Tiberius shares Proconsular Imperium and Tribune powers in 13AD
What were some of Agrippa’s main political achievements?
Proconsul of Gaul 39BC- improved admin and taxation
Aedile 33BC- set up public works
Consul 28/27BC- censorial powers, edited senatorial role
Successor 24/23- given signet ring/state documents, Concilium Principis
Governor of Syria 25/17BC
Co-regent 21BC- divorced wife, married Julia, produced heirs
What were Agrippa’s main military achievements?
Civil War 40BC-30BC:
Defeated Sextus Pompeius 36BC- Naval Crown coinage
Built Harbours/Navy- Porticus Julius, Misenum
Made new Naval technology
Fought at Actium- blocked fleet and secured Greek ports
Admiral of Navy/2IC of Army 27-23BC
MIP 18BC- JONES
What happened after Augustus’ death?
Consuls swore oath to reluctant Tiberius Will mentioned other successors- TACITUS Republic was now an Empire- SHOTTER Agrippa Postumus murdered? Trouble in Pannonia
What issues did Augustus have with the Army once he was in power?
He needed to control is source of power
He needed to mollify the Senate with some military control
Remove the influence of ambitious generals
Secure the Empire
Satisfy the veterans
Reduce the Army’s size
What were Augustus’ main reforms relating to the Army?
Demobilisation Navy Finances Provincial Arrangements Terms of Service Praetorian Guard
What was involved the demobilisation of the Army?
60 to 28 legions (300000 to 168000 men)
2 major cuts: 30BC and 14BC
Demobilised soldiers were given land
Each legion would have 5500 infantry and 120 cavalry
What were Augustus’ reforms to the Navy?
He set up 2 standing fleets as well as a River fleet
There would be 2 main naval ports: Misenum and Ravenna
How did Augustus alter military pay/finances?
Military funding would be handled by the Aerarium Militaire
A soldier would be paid 225 denarii a year
Augustus sometimes provided extra donations/bonuses
Upon retirement, veterans would receive 3000 denarii and would be settled in colonies for romanisation
What was the Praetorian Guard?
They were essentially Imperial bodyguards. They were led by 2 equestrian prefects.
They had a 16yr service and 2 denarii per day.
There were 9 cohorts of 1000 men each with a cavalry squad
3 cohorts stayed in Rome
What were the issues surrounding the Provincial government?
Taxation was too high- it didn’t have a set amount or frequency
The Publicani were often corrupt
Provincial government was terrible
Provincials were often subjugated by corrupt officials
What were the main reforms Augustus introduced to Provincial government?
Taxation
Governorship
Performance/efficiency
Community involvement
How many Imperial and Senatorial provinces were there?
ECK:
13 Imperial
10 Senatorial
What were Augustus’ aims with the frontier policy?
Use army in securing outer provinces- SHOTTER
- Consolidating Roman territory
- Stopping unsystematic expansion
- Setting up defensible frontiers
- Avoiding eastern conflicts
What were the 4 main frontier areas?
Central Europe
Western Europe
North Africa
Middle East and Asia Minor
What was his frontier policy in Central Europe?
He wanted to secure the Danube and Elba rivers as borders
He set up 3 provinces + Thrace as client Kingdom
Veterans were placed on Swiss border for defence/romanisation
Rebellions in Pannonia
What was pathetic frontier policy in Western Europe?
Augustus wanted to subdue Spain and maintain influence over Britain and France.
Spain was entirely conquered by 19AD and split into 3 provinces
Southern Gaul was secured/Romanised with Lyon as capital
Britain and Northern France were dealt with diplomatically
What was the frontier policy in the East and Asia Minor?
Augustus wanted to recover the standards from Parthia, control Armenia, and establish a non-aggressive policy to avoid conflict
He used diplomacy to bring peace with Parthia and set up a client Armenian King.
There were 5 client kingdoms + Syria which was an Imperial province
How was taxation improved in the provinces?
Augustus established indirect and direct tax
There would be a regular census to develop fairer taxation
Imperial: direct tax collected by Procurator, indirect text collected by Publicani
Senatorial: Publicani would collect all taxes under Quaestor supervision
