Rome: Augustus Flashcards
When was Augustus born and and what was he named ?
63 BC
Gaius Octavius Thurinus
Named after his father
What did August do in his early life ?
He enjoyed the life of an aristocratic family but his life took a turn at 19
What happened when Augustus was 19 ?
His uncle Julian Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius
When caesura Will was read out it named him as Heir and adopted son
What did Octavius change his name to ?
Gaius Juelius Caesar Octavianus
What did he promise to do ?
To avenge his fathers death
What happened between Augustus and Mark Antony ?
- Mark Antony attempted to control the state with Caesars’ old army
- Octavian donated his troops to the senate allowing them to win
- Octavian demanded he be made Consul
- angered by this he marched on rome with his army
- left with no other choice they granted him consul
What was consul ?
The most important public official in Rome after the Emperor with two consuls being elected annually
What did Augustus do as Consul ?
What did this do ?
Declared Brutus and Cassius enemies of the state
Created a mix of feelings as some members of the senate where friends with them
The senate called upon Brutus and Cassius from the east who had amassed a large army whilst fleeing Rome
How did Augustus deal with the threat of Brutus and Cassius ?
He remained calm and formed an alliance with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus
They formed the second Triumvirate and travelled to Greece
What happened when Marcus Lepidus, Mark Antony and Augustus marched on Greece ?
They battled and defeated Brutus and Cassius in 43 BC at the battle of Philippi
Brutus and Cassius committed suicide after the battle was lost
What happened to the Triumvirate?
They ruled rome for ten years in relative peace before relations soured
Lepidus was accused of inciting revolt and was exiled in 35 BC
How did Augustus remove Mark Antony ?
He wouldn’t be as easy to deal with as Marcus
He was a war hero and fought along side Caesar, the people of Rome loved him
Augustus found his Will from the vestal Virgins which said he left all of eastern Rome to Cleopatra and his children by her
What did the discovery of Mark Antonys’ will lead to ?
Outrage of the Roman people and Octavian declared war
In 31BC he defeated both Cleopatra and Mark Antony and by 30BV they had both committed suicide leaving Augustus the last man standing
What did Augustus do after the 60 year civil war ?
Careful self promotion and aimed to place himself at the head of the Roman state
He avoided trying to appear as a dictator or king and instead used various forms of propaganda to promote his power and superiority
When was his name changed to Augustus ?
27BC and was given the name religious name Augustus meaning venerable, esteemed and respected
