Res Gestae Divi Augusti Flashcards
What age was Augustus when he was inducted into the Senate?
19
What was the usual minimum age for someone to be inducted into the Senate?
30
When was the Battle of Mutina? Who did Augustus defeat?
43 BCE
Mark Antony
How did Augustus defeating Mark Antony resolve discord within the Senate?
the Senate were afraid that Mark Antony would seize power, just like Julius Caesar.
When was the Battle of Philipi? Who was defeated?
42 BCE
Brutus and Cassius
Why doesn’t Augustus name Brutus and Cassius?
because it would be perceived as a civil war.
How does the line “I spared the lives of all citizens who asked for mercy” help Augustus’ image?
clementia was a key virtue.
augustus pardoning his enemies shows him as a traditional republican and good imperator.
Why did Augustus refuse the dictatorship when it was offered to him in 22 BCE?
this was following an assassination attempt and suffering from illness.
he wished to step down as Princeps.
What did the role of Princeps Senatus allow Augustus to do?
speak first in the Senate and set its agenda.
What are the frater arvalis?
a college of priests that had fallen out of practice.
it was revived by Augustus in his hopes to return to traditional behaviour.
Analyse the line “I brought back many exemplary practices of our ancestors which were disappearing in our time,”
embodiment of good values and thus was a role model for Romans.
perhaps refers to the implementation of the Leges Iuliae, which concerned adultery - which had become a problem amongst the upper classes.
Why is it signifcant that Augustus refused to become pontifex maximus after Lepidus was exiled?
the position was held for life so, since Lepidus was still alive, he would need to kill Lepidus in order to become pontifex maximus.
What aspect of Augustus is emphasised by his donating to the public?
benefactor of the Roman people.
Why did Augustus not allow buildings to be named after himself?
he was seen as the humble benefactor, he didn’t want to promote himself by putting his name on buildings.
What was the impact of the restoration of the aqueducts? Who ran the restoration programme?
it improved the quality of life for the Romans through reforming public health.
Augustus instrcuted Agrippa to carry out this programme.
Why were the Secular Games held?
they were held to mark the beginning of the Golden Age.
Explain the impact of the line “I made the sea peaceful and freed it of pirates.”
this legitimises his campaign against Sextus Pompeius as he calls him a pirate, meaning it wouldn’t be perceived as a civil war.
this line is short because Augustus doesn’t was to dwell on past battles, the purpose of the eulogium was to preserve his legacy.
Which line in section in 26 emphasises the idea that Augustus only went to war when necessary?
“without waging an unjust war on any people.”
What was the impact of Augustus ‘add[ing] Egypt to the empire of the Roman people’ ?
Egypt was a rich and powerful Kingdom with an empire of its own.
he was able to acquire this as a province for the Romans, enhancing their power even further.
“I compelled the Parthians to restore to me the spoils”
What is the effect of the verb ‘compelled’ here?
it doesn’t imply the use of threat or force.
What is the civic crown?
an oak wreath given to individuals who’d saved the lives of other Romans.
Why does Augustus end the Res Gestae with “the whole people of Rome gave me the title of Father of my Country”?
he ends with was he perceives to be his most significant honour.
