Imperial image Flashcards
What became the military ‘HQ’ of the empire
The forum and especially the temple of Mars Ultor (the Avenger) had particular military significance
How and why did Augustus win over the plebs?
- It was where he wanted to base his power (the people)
- He was following in the steps of his father (man of the people)
- He gained their support by giving them money and reducing their debts.
Where does he mention his attempts to win over the Plebs?
Res Gestae - ‘I gave out to each man four hundred sesterces for the third time … I gave to each of the three hundred and twenty thousand urban plebeians sixty denarii.’
Where does Augustus most clearly show off his illustrious and divine ancestry?
In the Forum of Augustus - Down both sides of the Forum were rows of statues, one of his ancestors via Mars (the Roman kings) and the other his ancestors via Venus (the Julian family). He also placed statues of Mars, Venus and Caesar in the Temple of Mars Ultor.
How does Horace recognise Augustus’ divine heritage?
Carmen Saeculare - ‘a noble descendant of Venus’
Why was ancestry so important to Augustus?
Because in reality his ancestry was not divine not even royal, except as Caesar’s closest living male relative he was chosen as his heir and adopted by him, giving him the leadership and loyalty of Caesar’s supporters and troops. This connection to Caesar was all he had.
What title is most important to Augustus’ mandate to rule
Divi Filius - not only divine heritage but also son of Ceasar.
What title is most important to Augustus’ mandate to rule
Divi Filius - not only divine heritage but also son of Ceasar.
How did Augustus establish himself as a Divi Filius
He built a temple of Julius in Rome and was at the forefront of the campaign to make Julius a god in 42BC.
What monument found outside of Rome shows Augustus as a Divi Filius and even a god!?
KALABSHA GATE: On the carving below it says Caesar the god, son of a god – a reference to the divinity of Caesar. It says this in a cartouche above Augustus’ head.
Julius Caesar destroyed the republic with his army - how did Augustus distance himself from this?
He often stressed that he was restoring the republic and ‘handed’ his powers to the senate in 27BC
Julius Caesar declared himself Dictator Perpetua - how did Augustus distance himself from this?
He made sure that all his powers were traditional republican powers - even though he held them for too long and wielded much more power than they alluded to.
Caesar dressed like a king - purple and gold - jewelled chair compared to Augustus who …
Tried to show modesty wearing a toga and not living in a massive house - like any-other Roman politician
