Augustan Age Notes: Detailed Analysis of Roman Principate
ANCIENT HISTORY
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRINCIPATE
The Roman Republic– the roman republic consisted of shared power
INTRO:
The republic of Rome had survived for 400 years after dictatorship was been overcome
It was an empire without an emperor and was rules by elected officials and written laws
The senate is at the very top of society, an elite class of men all equal in power all striving for fame and honour
Caesar is willing to be at the very top and rule Rome as he wants to enhance Rome and be known by everyone in order to redeem the power his family once had and was known for.
In 60 B.C., The First Triumvirate was constructed to try and gain as much power together as a group. Their aim was to elect Caesar to the consulship for 59 BC. He would be able to ensure their proposals were passed with the support of Pompey’s veterans, Crassus’s equates and the Roman people. This consisted of: (least powerful to most powerful)
Crassus – money
Pompey - military
Julius Caesar – politics
1st to leave was: Crassus - was an extremely wealthy banker from an old Roman noble family. Crassus died in Parthia in 53 BC. This was the beginning to the end of the First triumvirate
2nd to leave the triumvirate was Pompey- Roman general and politician Pompey is murdered on the orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after trying to escape the conflict he encountered with Caesar after jealously struck as a result of Caesar’s rising power. Caesar’s successes aroused Pompey’s jealousy, however, leading to the collapse of the political alliance in 53 B.C.
The Roman Senate supported Pompey and asked Caesar to give up his army, which he refused to do. In January 49 B.C., Caesar led his legions across the Rubicon River from Cisalpine Gaul to Italy, thus declaring war against Pompey and his forces.
3rd to leave was Julius Caesaras he declared himself as a sole ruler (Emperor) which lead to his assassination. His was killed at the feet of a statue of Pompey – one of the men he was in conflict with. He was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius as they stabbed him an average of 23 times.
The assassination of Julius Caesar was the result of a conspiracy by many Roman senators (he would become the dictator of Rome). Led by Cassius and Brutus, they stabbed Julius Caesar to death in a location adjacent to the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March, 44 BC.
David Shotter quotes: “Brutus and Cassius had no plans for the future other than believing that the death of Caesar would lead to the restoration of the republic.”
This shows that people were starting to fear his power and the possible chance of having another Roman dictator
It also shows that the Roman people much preferred the republic system as it allowed for more freedom and equality
AFTER THE DEATH OF CAESAR:
Once Brutus and Cassius had killed Caesar they had no plan as to what should happen with the Roman government which in turn caused a power vacuum as no one was in charge.
Marc Antony wanted to try and fix this situation however this did not work out as Octavian, Caesar’s heir was rising to power. Soon after the Second .....[read full text]
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ROMAN SOCIAL STRUCTURE:
PATRICIANS
PLEBIANS
SLAVES
PLEBIANS:
They were members of the general citizenry in ancient Rome. They were originally excluded from the senate and from all public offices except that of military tribune.
-common roman citizens
PATRICIANS:
People of high rank from aristocratic and noble families.
-privileged citizens
OCTAVIAN
What was essence of the Republican system of government?
It allowed power to be shared between the senate and the consul.
What happened to Roman politics immediately after the assassination of Julius Caesar?
They tried to revert back to the Republican system by making Marc Antony consul.
What does it mean by a power vacuum?
When there is no one is in charge leaving emptiness for a position to be filled. This occurred after Brutus and Cassius assassinated Caesar and had no plan as to what they would do regarding leadership.
What did Octavian do when he first came back to Rome in 44BC?
Octavian marched his troops on Rome, demand (and won) the consulship, and then returned to North to meet with Antony and with another of Caesar’s close collaborators, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. He tried to get Caesar’s supporters to follow him.
Who was Cice.....
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Please downloadthe paper. Who were the main people murdered off under the Second Triumvirate?
The first person to leave was Cicero. Then Brutus and Cassius were later killed off during the battle of Phillipi.
How was the Roman Empire divided up under the Second Triumvirate? (Who got what)
Marc Antony – had the east which provided him with access to vast amounts of resources.
Lepidus – Spain
Octavian – Rome – had access to controlling from the central part of the empire.
What problems did Octavian encounter from his ‘share’?
Sextus was a pirate who controlled the sea trade routes. He stopped the grain supply from entering Rome. This left limited food in Rome and upset the people. Octavian needed to keep the veteran soldiers happy by providing for them. Lucius Antonius (Marc Antony’s brother) was also creating problems for Octavian in case he was to succeed.
How did Octavian use the “pr.....
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Please downloadthe paper. The people favoured the military and political strengths of Octavian. He ended a 100 year civil war, brought grain supply back to Rome. The people felt and obligation/loyalty towards Octavian.
GAIUS OCTAVIAN – DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRINCIPATE: SETTLEMENTS OF 27BC AND 23BC
27BC – The First Settlement
23BC – The Second Settlement
This allowed Augustus to:
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Please downloadthe paper. He is seen as the personification of power and authority
He is barefoot, suggesting hero or divine nature
They include Apollo, Sol and Diana. Other figures depict people who were taken over or forced to pay tribute
The central scene of the cuirass depicts the return of standards that had been lost to the Parthians following Crassus’ defeat in 53BC.
Antony failed to achieve this. This restoration of Roman honour had great propaganda value.
IMAGES OF THE PRINCEPS
Augustus was heavily aware of the value of propaganda and the importance of image
Some images were in the form of buildings and literature
Only a small amount of people saw Augustus therefore presentation on coins, statues and monuments was important
Image provided focus for loyalty. Augu.....
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Please downloadthe paper. The title ‘Augustus’ conferred upon him
The Laurel leaves that decked his house
The Civic Crown affixed over his doorway
The Golden Shield set up in the Julian senate house
He was acclaimed imperator twenty one times
In section 7 of the Res Gestae Augustus lists his priestly positions including augur and pontifex maximus which was the most important religious position in Rome
Section 25 he states that the Roman people gave him the title “father of the country.” Although it did not give him power it gave him the image of the ‘father role on the family.’
The five titles Augustus used were: pontifex maximus, consul, imperator, Tribunicia Potestas and pater patriae (father of the country)
THE .....
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Please downloadthe paper. “The female pair represents the consequences of those qualities: the victory of Rome, and the fruitful prosperity of the Earth under Rome’s rule. Augustus’ family, male and female, make the link between the two.” Wallace Hadrill
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