Octavian comes to Rome Flashcards
what family was Julius Caesar part of
Julian clan - claimed to be descended from Aeneas and Venus
how was Julius Caesar popular with the people of Rome
-gifted military general who led a number of successful campagins
-favoured the causes of the urban poor and plebians - wnated to improve their living conditions
-doubled soldiers pay and improved conditions
when did JC become consul
59BC
when was the first triumvirate created and who was a part of it
60 BC
Julius Caesar , Pompey Magnus and Marcus Crassus
-only formed on each mans personal advantage not shared poltical ideas
-many senators belived this to be unconstitutional as it bypassed traditonal, legal routes into power
when did Civil war break out between JC and what happened to Pompey
49 BC
-Pompey fled to Egypt and was beheaded
when did JC announce himself as ‘dictator in perpetuity’
44 BC - roman ruler for life
- this was not liked by many as it alluded to the idea of him nbeing seen as a king and tyrant
who plotted to muder Caesar
Brutus and Cassius and 60 other conspirators - remving him for the sake of the state
when was Caesar assaisinated
15th March 44 BC - ides of march
what family was octavian born into
Octavii - polictally insignificant thus octavian would never be succesful in his involment in politics
how was Octavian able to gain some power in Rome
JC named him as his heir and thus he become his adopted son - requested that he take his name
-meant that he now had divine ancestors and could strengthen his public image - now Gaius Julius Caesar
what was Octavians first act after JC death
-gave 75 denarii to each of the plebians
-held funeral games in honour of JC and Venus
-comet went overhead and this was seen as JC ascending to the heavens to become a god
who also positioned themselves as Caesars heir
Marc Antony
-gave a powerful speech at JC funeral which caused the assasins to flee rome
why did the senate choose to support octavian in being JC heir
-seen as the lesser of 2 eveils
-only 18 so politically inexperienced and so could be influenced and controlled
when was Octavian conducted into the senate
at the age of 18 despite min being 30
when did Octavian first defeat MA
battle of Mutina in 43 BC
-Antony forced to retreat but two conuls -Hiritus and Pansa- were killed leaving Octatavian in sole control of the senates army
how did the senate try to control octavian after mutina
refused to grant him the honours of victory and so Octavian marched into Rome demanding the consulship and refusing to pursue MA
when was Octavian given the consulship
43 BC
Aureus Laurel wreath coin showing octavian and JC
-minted in 43 BC
- text - Gaius Caesar (Octavian) - consul - priest of the augurs, Gaius Caesar (JC) - dictator in perpetuity - pontifex maximus
- significance - links Octavian and Caesar, early form of propaganda, presents Octavian as the rightful heir to Caesar’s power
Which similarities between Octavian and Caesar are highlighted by the Laurel Wreath Coin?
text takes the same form, rightful heir, same pose, on the same coin (co-marketing), taking the same name
Which differences between Octavian and Caesar are highlighted by the Laurel Wreath Coin?
Octavian’s titles are temporary (distancing himself from Caesar’s issues), Caesar has a Laurel Wreath (military triumph)
What is the significance of the differences in titles between Octavian and Caesar on the Laurel Wreath Coin?
Octavian is distancing himself from Caesar’s tyranny (the thing which led to his assassination) - not seen as de facto king
Why were coins good for propaganda?
they were spread across the whole empire, everyone would see them, cross language barriers, don’t have to be able to read to understand the imagery - can protray a certain desired image on as not many will actually see Octavian in real life
What is a limitation of using coins for propaganda?
there is very little space on a coin
when was the second triumverate formed
43 BC
Octavian , Marc Antony and Lepidus
