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
