The Question of Succession: Augustus' Need for an Heir

Question 1

Augustus appears to have been preoccupied with the question of succession. What could be his reasons for this? (4)

Answer 1

• Political prestige
• The fact he had no natural son
• Health issues
• The running of the principate

Question 2

Explain political prestige as a reason for wanting an heir (2)

Answer 2

• The Roman nobility were concerned with the inheritance of political prestige
• In order to maintain the good name of a family, sons were expected to follow in their father’s footsteps and equal or surpass their achievements

Question 3

What was the remedy for Augustus having no son?

Answer 3

• Adoption, so that his prestige could be passed down

Question 4

Why was Augustus’ health a factor in him wanting to secure an heir? What was the issue with his first choices?

Answer 4

• His recurring ill-health spurred him on to find an heir

- His extremely long life meant that several of his chosen successors died before him

Question 5

Why was the Principate different when it came to succession?

Answer 5

• The principate could not be inherited, although some believed that provisions should be made for its transference when Augustus died

Question 6

Why did Augustus struggle with wishing to pass on the principate? However? (2 + 1)

Answer 6

• He always insisted that Rome hadn’t changed
• He believed that each leader should win power in open competition and according to merit
• However, he remembered the disastrous rivalry that occurred after the death of Julius Caesar, and did not want to repeat it

Question 7

How did Augustus endorse his ‘sons’? (2)

Answer 7

• Used the device of associating members of his family with him in the tribunician power
• Also took them as colleagues through grant of imperium in order to endorse them

Question 8

Who were Augustus’ chosen successors? (5)

Answer 8

• Marcellus
• Agrippa
• Gaius + Lucius Caesar
• Tiberius

Question 9

How was Marcellus related to Augustus?

Answer 9

• Nephew and son in law. He was Augustus’ sister’s son and married Augustus’ daughter Julia

Question 10

How was Agrippa related to Augustus?

Answer 10

• No blood relation but after Marcellus died he married Julia, becoming Augustus’ son-in-law

Question 11

How were Gaius and Lucius Caesar related to Augustus?

Answer 11

• His grandsons (Julia and Agrippa)

Question 12

How was Tiberius related to Augustus?

Answer 12

• Stepson (of his second wife Livia) and son-in-law (when Agrippa died he married Julia)

Question 13

Which successors were from the Julian bloodline and which were from the Claudian?

Answer 13

• All from Julian bloodline, barring Tiberius

Question 14

Why would Augustus have wished for a Julian heir?

Answer 14

• He would’ve wanted to continue his family name and keep the empire in his own family

Question 15

What was the condition of Augustus making Tiberius his heir?

Answer 15

• He had to adopt Germanicus who was married to Agrippina (the daughter of Agrippa and Julia)

Question 16

According to Suetonius, what was Augustus’ opinion of Tiberius? What did he do? How did he refer to him?

Answer 16

• Publicly swore that the adoption of Tiberius was “in the natural interest”
• Often referred to him as an “outstanding general and the only one capable of defending Rome against her enemies”

Question 17

What was Augustus’ opinion of Tiberius according to Tacitus? Give two quotes

Answer 17

• His appointment of Tiberius was due “neither to personal affection nor to regard for the national interests”
• “Thoroughly aware of Tiberius’ cruelty and arrogance, he intended to heighten his own glory by the contrast with one so inferior”