Imperial Image - Augustus Legacy Flashcards
Why did Augustus need to manage his public image throughout his lifetime?
To enable him to rise to power, retain power, ensure future generations remembered him, avoid assassination, and leave a lasting legacy.
When did work begin and complete on the Mausoleum of Augustus?
Work began in 32 BC and was completed in 28 BC.
How did the Mausoleum of Augustus compare to other funerary monuments in Rome?
It dwarfed the most lavish funerary monuments in Rome at the time and was bigger than the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.
What implications did the size of the Mausoleum of Augustus have?
- Seen as a Hellenistic-style monarch
- Linked to Macedonian royal family, including Alexander the Great
- Testament to the power and wealth of a hero who was part-man, part-god
- Conveyed the idea of power and authority
What topped the Mausoleum of Augustus?
A bronze statue of Augustus.
What was the purpose of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti?
It was an elogium reflecting Augustus’ intentions and desired messages to preserve his legacy.
How did Augustus request his achievements to be inscribed?
He requested a full account of his achievements be inscribed upon colossal bronze pillars displayed outside his mausoleum.
What was notable about the length of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti?
It is the longest funerary inscription that survives from the period.
How does Augustus refer to Caesar in the Res Gestae Divi Augusti?
Caesar is mentioned twice by name, referred to as ‘my father’ when speaking of the man.
Why is the writing style of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti considered simple?
- Expensive to write in great depth
- Lacks poetic language
- Difficult to carve letters
What important figures are notably absent from the Res Gestae Divi Augusti?
Many important figures, particularly Roman enemies, are not named directly.
What does Augustus stress in his accounts of foreign campaigns?
The benefits that Rome reaped.
What was emphasized in the Res Gestae Divi Augusti regarding Augustus’ lifetime?
His generosity through a building program, gifts, and games.
What titles does Augustus place important emphasis on in the Res Gestae Divi Augusti?
Pater Patriae and Augustus.
When did Augustus die?
August 19, 14 AD.
What was the immediate impact of Augustus’ death on the Senate?
There was no legal precedent for what would happen next, and few were prepared to govern without him.
Who was understood to be Augustus’ successor?
Tiberius.
What significant event occurred during Augustus’ funerary procession?
All public and private business affairs were stopped.
What happened to Augustus after his death?
He was deified and became associated with Italy, Rome, and fertility.
Who was Livia and what happened to her after Augustus’ death?
Livia outlived Augustus, was deified after her death in 29 AD, referred to as Augusta, and worshipped as a patron of marriages.
