1 Julio Claudian Sources

Which literary sources are there for Augustus?

• Velleius Paterculus

• Dio Cassius

• Suetonius

• Tacitus

• Strabo

• Res Gestae

What archeological evidence is there for Augustus?

Buildings and structures:

• Ara Pacis

• Triumphal Arch

Coins:

• Aureus 27BC depicting an eagle carrying the civic crown to celebrate Augustus’ First Settlement

• Denarius 27BC depicting a crocodile to celebrate the annexation of Egypt

• Denarius 16BC depicting Venus on the obverse and symbols of four priesthoods held by Augustus on the reverse. Venus reminds us of the Julio claim that they were descended from her.

Res Gestae context

It was written by Augustus himself, recording his achievement, then engraved and set up outside his Mausoleum.

He omits the negative events of his reign e.g. Varus loss of the legions at Teutoberg.

What literary sources are there for Tiberius?

• Cassius Dio

• Suetonius

• Tacitus

• Velleius Paterculus

• Younger Seneca (Nero’s tutor)

How does Tacitus present Tiberius?

He is presented very negatively by Tacitus, as Tiberius’ reign was reminiscent of Domitian’s which Tacitus had lived through and hated.

How does Velleius Paterculus present Tiberius?

He is very positive about Tiberius reign, and claims that ‘magnificent public buildings’ were constructed by him. This is likely because he lived under Tiberius and thus owed his military career to him.

What archaeological sources are there for Tiberius?

Buildings and structures:

Much less buildings than Augustus - ‘No magnificent public works marked his reign’ Suetonius. He did construct a temple for Augustus to commemorate the deified emperor.

Coins:

* Sestertius of Tiberius 34/5AD depicts a chariot drawn by four elephants with statue of Augustus. It emphasises Tiberius connection to the deified Augustus.

What literary sources are there for Gaius?

• Suetonius

• Cassius Dio

• Josephus

• Seneca the Younger

• Pliny the Elder

What literary sources are there for Claudius?

• Suetonius

• Tacitus

• Cassius Dio

• Josephus

• Seneca the Younger

• Pliny the Elder

What literary sources are there for Nero?

• Suetonius

• Cassius Dio

• Tacitus

• Pliny

When was Suetonius writing?

Early second century

Suetonius context

Wrote The Twelve Caesars, which was a biography and so more concerned with character and motivation. His works were often more focused on gossip, very different style to Tacitus.

Suetonius was an equestrian and so didn't share the views of most other upper class historians. He wanted to portray the Julio-Claudians as worse than the system he was under with Hadrian. He had access to the Imperial Library.

When was Cassius Dio writing?

Early third century - least contemporary.

Cassius Dio context

Attempted to write an Ancient History in the style of Thucydides.

He was a Senator which means he was critical of Augustus reduction of the Senate's power. However he was complimentary of Augustus' restoration of order after a civil war.

When was Velleius Paterculus writing?

Early first century. Lived under Augustus and Tiberius

Velleius Paterculus context

He wrote a universal history, meaning that it was often brief, lacking detail.

He was a more contemporary source than Tacitus, Suetonius or Dio and this gives him a claim at reliability.

He was very complimentary of Augustus and Tiberius as he owed his military career to them

When was Tacitus writing?

Early second century.

Tacitus context

He was a senator, and very critical of Tiberius, regarding him as an unworthy successor to Augustus. His hyperbolic description of the treason trials could be linked to his anger at Domitian who he lived under and also conducted treason trials. He praised republican (democratic) systems such as more power being given to the senate.

PROS:

• Great detail

• Access to actual documents and first hand accounts

• Analyses sources

CONS:

• Bias and hostility e.g. overcritical of Tiberius

• His focus is on senators and the upper classes, not the plebs

When was Josephus writing?

Late 1st century AD

Josephus context

• A Roman-Jewish historian

• Lived in Rome for some of his life but born in Jerusalem

• He was part of the Jewish elite, had the upper class perspective but from still an outsider

• Probably biased against Gaius because of his negative policy towards Jewish people

• However his account isn't noticeably more critical than Dio’s or Suetonius’