Imperial Image Flashcards
Horace Epode 9 - 30 BC
Poem to celebrate Actium victory - 30bc
Speaks of a festive atmostphere, victory soon to be celebrated in Rome.
Doesn’t name Cleo or Ant but says that the reason for the battle was “A Roman, - you’ll not credit posterity - Sadly, ups stick and arms himself, For a women’s sake”
Mentions that the Gallic king switches sides. They have fled the battle. Compares Octavian to Scipio and Marius.
Themes = Actium, Imperator
Horace Odes 1.37 - 23 BC
Now’s the time to party and prepare a feast.
A big focus on Cleo - “Maddened queen” “with her crowd of deeply - corrupted creatures sick with turpitude, she, violent with hope of all kinds, and intoxicated”
Also makes the case that Rome was in deep danger “plotting the Capitol’s and the empire’s ruin” “as she fled from Rome” emphasising the danger the Romans were in and how thankful Romans should be of Octavian.
However he also tries to bolster Cleo “as the sparrow-hawk follows the gentle dove or the swift hunter chases the hare” in this showing her as vulnerable then “intending to perish more nobly, showed no sign of womanish fear at the sword” shows her as more manly, having no fear “dared to gaze at her fallen kingdom
with a calm face” resemblance of stoicism “with courage” “ growing fiercer still, and resolving to die: scorning to be taken by hostile galleys” “ no ordinary woman, yet queen no longer,” these all show Horace as portraying her as brave and more akin to a man than a cowardly women. Could be indirect praise of Octavian through making the enemy seem better.
Themes = Actium, Imperator, Peace
Horace 3.6 - 23 BC
About the moral decline in Rome.
Refers to making reparations for fathers sins - could be Romulus
Argues that the decline is due to failing religious duties - “Neglected gods have made many woes for sad Italy” - Then names recent military failings.
Then turns to contemporary Romans - “fertile in its wickedness” - Talks about unfaithful women (Gods particularly hate this).
Praises previous generations - Those of Punic war - “virile crowd of Rustic soldiers”
Call to action to renew moral standards before it gets even worse
Themes = Moral decline, Religious leader, Pater Patriae
Horace 3.14 - 23 BC
Celebrates Augustus return. Public and Private voice.
“like Hercules.” Appeals to youth to avoid ill omens.
Switches to private voice - He doesn’t fear civil war/violence anymore while “Caesar has command of the earth” - Acknowledges that Caesar is the ruler. Then contrasts this peace with the turbulence of the 1st Century
“my greying hair softens a spirit eager for arguments and passionate fight” Hes start to mellow down, mirrors Augustus’ Rome
Themes = Imperator, Pater Patriae, Family, Peace
Horace 4.4 - 13 BC
Most likely ordered by Augustus as Horace explicitly said he cant do military poetry Praises Augustus as a father figure and a factor in his military prowess
“whenever moral behaviour falls short, its faults dishonour whatever was good at birth.” stresses morals again
Claims Hannibal made a long speech about Rome - “Triumph to flee and evade” “There’s nothing that Claudian power can’t achieve, protected by Jove, protected by the god’s authority” - makes it seems Romes greatest enemy proclaimed that Augustus family lineage are protected by the Gods and that they are omnipotent.
Themes = Imperator, Family, Ancestry
Horace 4.15 - 13 BC
A celebration and summary of Caesar time
Alludes to an “age” golden perhaps?
Lists achievements - “Brought back the standards” “Closed the gates” “tightened the rein on lawlessness” “driven out crime” “Summoned ancient arts again”
Directly attributes it to Caesar “With Caesar protecting the state, no civil disturbance will banish the peace” also directly mentions to civil wars.
Mentions the practice of singing of past heroes tradition being brought back
Mentions the Aeneid
Theme of Golden age under Augustus, a time of peace and prosperity for Rome.
Themes = Imperator, Peace, Religious Piety, Tradition
Horace Carmen Saeculare - 17 BC
Performed at Saecular games. Addresses many Gods to ask for blessings and prosperity-
Illithya - Goddess of Childbirth - Leges Iuliae - Childbirth laws
Sol
The fates - “link happy destinies”
Ceres & Jupiter - Fruitful harvests
Apollo - listen to young males requests/Supplications - Also alludes to Augustus and putting down weapons and taking up civic duties
Luna - “give ear to the girls”
Apollo - “Expand Rome’s power and Latium’s good fortune”
Talks about returning to the Saeculum - Tradition
Talks about Aeneas again = stresses his Pious title
Themes = Religious piety, Golden age, Morality, Family, Peace
Ara Pacis 13 BC Commisioned - 9 BC built
States the senate voted on creating it after Augustus 3 yr absence in Spain - asserts that senate ordered it = shows self preservation - perfect republican and humility The peace aspect of the altar and combined with the occasion its celebrating reinforce ‘peace through war’ this was emphasised with the closing of the gates of Janus at the same time.
Lower panels show plant life with an acanthus as the central piece with vines that extend out into other plants. - Vines were frequently used as a symbol of Aug golden age as they alluded to fertility and natural bounty but that it was also a result of strict social order.
West panel (entrance) - depicts Aeneas and Romulus =
Aeneas panel shows the finding of the 30 piglets
Romulus panel shows the wolf and two baby Romulus and Remus suckling
East Panel = Tellus panel and Roma Panel
Tellus = Animals as well as grain and wine
Procession on North and South upper walls - fifty figures in total and gives impression of grand event, shows Augustus, Livia and Agrippa. Augustus wearing a toga rather than military dress - shows peace rather than war Depicts children as well - children of imperial family - represent future of Rome and promise of Augustan Golden age
Mausoleum 28 BC work began - completed 23 BC
Began work before consolidation of power
Grand scale, dwarfed all other funerary monuments.
such and epic proportion could be interpreted that he wanted to be viewed as a Hellenistic-style monarch - Mausoleums were testaments to power and wealth and also the allusion to Halikarnassos
Symbolised Octavian’s commitment to Rome in reference to Antony’s wishes to be buried in Alexandria
Surrounded by public park in Campus Martius - Gift to the people, Augustan benevolence to people of Rome
Since it was in Campus Martius it was close to some of his other buildings
The building also had the Res Gestae written on the side - adding to its whole existence as a dynastic building and addition to his family building
Res Gestae Divi Augusti - 13 AD
An Autobiographical account of Augustus’ life and achievements
Displayed across the empire (Ankara, Turkey)
Does not lie directly all that is in the Text is mostly true/slightly embellished but he omits details and events - Enemies are not mentioned by name, no mention of civil war, Pompey called pirates, Tribunal powers omitted, enemies at Mutina just called faction.
Allows him to leave a story and legacy that is all positive and represents best version of him, emphasis on first among equals and republican restoration.
No mention of Caesar by name and little mention of Agrippa despite his military victories and civic help especially with buildings e.g. pantheon and sewers
Prima Porta Statue - 20 BC
Contraposto stance - relaxed pose with weight on one leg - reference to Doryphoros by Polycleitus = embodiment of physical perfection
Adlocutio pose - oractical pose to troops most likely
Left arm positioned to hold something - spear in connection to Doryphoros or a consul staff or recaptured legionary standards
Dolphin and cupid to stabilise statue - association to Venus = Mother of Aeneas and Julian clan.
Barefoot - association to Gods, goes against the idea that he didn’t want to be worshipped as a God
Breastplate - covered in reliefs = in the centre standards being given over, Goddess holding a cornucopia (Pax or Mother Earth)
Gods of Sky, Sol, Dawn, and Luna - personifications of earth suggests Pax Augusta spread across the world. Shoulder straps refer to Egypt with the Sphinx (Cleopatra and Actium)
Overall impression of a Leader who has brought peace to the world under the sanction of Gods
Forum of Augustus - 20 BC building began - 2 AD finished
Fulfilment of a promise in 42 BC when he vowed to erect a temple to Mars Ultor if he won Battle of Philippi. Focal point of the Forum was a large temple to the God
Flanked by Porticoes lined with Statues of famous Romans. Upper level of Porticoes had Caryatids holding - Greek culture - Culture hero
Each Portico had an exedra containing more statuary. West Exedra held a statue of Aeneas, east exedra had a statue of Romulus
Central courtyard had one Statue of Augustus riding a four horse chariot inscription of ‘Pater Patriae’
‘Gift to city’, celebration of Roman history and Gods
