Domestic Policy Flashcards
1
Q
Tiberius positive
A
- Tiberius safeguarded the empire from banditry and local revolts by decreasing the distance between military posts
- At rome he provided Praetorian Guards, who had usually been scattered in lodging houses, with regular barracks and a camp. This increased the security of Rome
- He cut down on public expenses: lowering pay of actors, setting limit on numbers of gladiator combats, had a campaign against food waste (offering left overs at dinner). All of these were not very popular but good for the state
- tried to made Rome more modest: issued an edict against promiscuous kissing, had married women who committed improprieties publicly prosecuted
- He had foreign cults at Rome abolished, particularly Egyptian and Jewish. also abolished astrologers unless swearing to abandon the art.
- He abolished the right of sanctuary in temples and holy places (criminals would use this).
2
Q
Tiberius negative
A
- 16AD Near civil war with Clemens - he attempted, after hearing of Augustus’ death (rumour that Augustus had gone to visit his grandson Agrippa Postumus), to rescue Agrippa (julia’s son) from Planasia (in exile) and take him to Germany. He was too late and Agrippa was assassinated. And so he dressed as him and went into the city and was greeted by great crowds. Great threat to T. could not kill him in front of public so had him captured and killed in the palace.
- Tiberius didn’t commission any new public work projects; he only constructed Augustus’ temple and restored Pompey’s Ampitheatre. both were unfinished at his death in AD37
- After death of Drusus in 23AD, Tiberius retired to Capreae (let state affairs slide - no appointing of new military tribunes or cavalry officers.
3
Q
Claudius
A
- After is accession in AD41, he bought the services of the Praetorian guard to increase his power and authority. Using them, he executed the senators and military people that were involved with Caligula’s assassination - this did however worsen relations with the senate.
- announced annual Circus games on his fathers birthday
- Completed Tiberius’ work on the marble arch near Pompey’s theatre.
- Public works: built a harbour and lighthouse at Ostia; completed Gaius task of bringing the cool and abundant springs into Rome - the water ran along a stone aqueduct and was then distributed into reservoirs; He also undertook the Fucine draining system which he made 3 miles long which was unsuccessful but did employ 30,000 men.
- Gave a number of public shows: traditional and new. Held games at Pompey’s theatre and celebrated Saecular games. He also gave chariot races in the Vatican quater, sometimes introducing wild beast shows.
- He improved the transportation of grain from egypt to Rome, reducing the price of grain by reducing shipping costs
- he appointed freedman Pallas as the financial secretary; led to closer supervision of the imperial treasury. Yet this resulted in more corruption as Narcissus and Pallas frequently complimented their wealth with gold from the imperial treasury.
