Imperial Image Reign of Augustus Part 1: Securing Power

Why did Octavian change his image after his defeat of Antony and Cleopatra?

Association with Caesar may be harmful as has bad connotations of sole rule, so needs to show himself as champion of the Republic; Has been showing himself as peaceful, can now emphasise military victory (laurel wreaths) to show military prowess ready to expand empire; Triumvir - needs to dissociate himself from Antony so can sell Actium as a foreign not civil war, and distance himself from unconstitutional laws passed during civil war; No Opponent so doesn't have to show himself as better than anyone, can build a positive not also competitive image

What short-term honours does Cassius Dio mention were given to Octavian?

triple triumph, an arch in Brundisium and Roman Forum, adorned shrine of Julius Casesar with beaks of captured ships, defaced Antony's memorials, voted Octavian thanksgivings and crowns

What decrees by the senate does Cassius Dio mention (51.19-20) that sound like Octavian was being honoured like a god?

Festival held to honour Octavian every 4 years

Thanksgivings on Octavian's birthday

In all courts Ocavian's vote counted as Athena's vote (overriding, authoritative)

All priests and priestesses pray for him

Libations poured to him at every public and private banquet

After Parthian campaign: his name included in hymns equal to the gods'

The day he entered Rome should be honoured with sacrifices

What does Cassius Dio mention (in 51.19) regarding how Octavian's triumph framed Actium?

That Antony and the other Romans who were with him were not mentioned by name, so they implied 'that it was proper to celebrate their defeat'

How did Octavian carefully respond to the Senate's decrees on granting him many honours after Actium (which Cassius Dio mentions in 51.20)?

He refused some of the decrees including that all citizens, senators and the Vestal Virgins should meet him as he entered Rome

He was very pleased that the senate closed the gates of Janus

To take on the augurium salutis

What was the augurium salutis and why was it significant that Octavian received the honour of performing it?

The annual ritual performed on 5th August to ask the gods if they could pray for the safety of the state - only possible during times of peace, implying that Octavian had brought peace

What was the significance of closing the gates of Janus and why was this a form of propaganda for Augustus (as Cassius Dio mentions)?

Cassius Dio says it implied 'that all their wars had entirely ceased', but they were still at war on several borders of the empire. However nothing of consequence came from this conquests.

Why, according to Cassius Dio, did Augustus not personally govern every province?

He wanted to appear democratic, though he was essentially in charge

How did Augustus come to hold sole power according to Cassius Dio?

He was 'master' of the public funds and spent them how he liked, commanded the soldiers, and kept on being appointed as governor over his provinces 5 or 10 years at a time.

What does Cassius Dio suggest Augustus' rule was, and how the emperors preserved their power?

monarchy; preserved by making it seem all the honours and offices they held were given to them by the people and Senate

What propaganda did Octavian release in the years after Actium that suggested he did not hold sole power?

coins depicting him with Agrippa, showing he worked with other men

What event does Cassius Dio see as the time Augustus took sole power?

The First Settlement, 27 BC

How did Augustus represent his peace to the Romans?

Closed the doors of Temple of Janus

Reconciled with people he was enemies with (showed clemency)

Used symbols on coinage to associate himself with peace and prosperity (e.g. Pax with cornucopia, 32-29BC)

Put up shrines in neighbourhoods - associated with religion (which was only possible to perform effectively during peace - showing his priorities were to ensure peace so religion could continue)

Why was Augustus' message of a reign of peace not accurate?

The empire was rarely at peace, since major campaigns took place every year during Augustus' reign

He made it attractive to join the army so people would continue to join

What was the position the Senate gave Octavian in 27BC?

Princeps Senatus, first senator, giving him right to speak first in Senate and therefore direct discussion in the Senate

How did Augustus try to hide his advertisement for joining the military?

Presented his enrichment of the military as measures to protect Rome (e.g. paid the praetorian guard triple the wage of an ordinary soldier - conveys message that protecting Rome was his priority)

How did Augustus make it appealing to join the military?

Centralised the army's administration - made him in charge so that no one else could try seize power

Paid them well - professional soldiers could earn 900 sesterces per year (more than enough to support a family) and get 12,000 a year in pension

Paid the praetorian guard (an elite guard who guarded Roman Italy) triple - a role that many soldiers aspired to

In what ways was Octavian not a true republican?

Princeps Senatus gave him primacy in Senate which trumped traditional primacy of consul

What unconstitutional powers had the Senate given Octavian during his rise to power and up to the First Settlement?

Admitted to Senate far too young (normal age 30)

Commanded army before holding public office

As triumvir, suspended all courts and free elections

First Settlement - when was it and what did it mean for Octavian?

27BC.

He restored laws and rights of Roman people, gave up unconstitutional powers he acquired during the civil war and honours he was bestowed by the senate as a result

He received control over key provinces and their legions

What does the name Augustus mean?

revered, venerable, majestic

When did the Senate give Octavian the name 'Augustus'?

27 BC

In what year did Octavian elevate some plebs to patrician status and why was this useful to him?

29 BC. This gave him more patrician support.

When did the second settlement occur and what was it?

23 BC; an agreement allowing Augustus to step back from consular duties but retain tribunician power.

When was the aureus of Octavian playing the role of civilian magistrate struck and what did it represent/mean? (Prescribed source)

28 BC. Represents that Augustus had restored the laws and constitutional rights of/to the ROman people

Why did Octavian want tribunician power according to Baker?

he was presenting himself as the champion of all people. He was the 'iconic defender, protector and champion of the interests of all Roman citizens' (Baker) across the whole empire.

What was the third settlement and when did it occur?

19BC. He was made consular imperium for life; from then on wore the consul's insignia in public regardless of whether or not he held imperium at that time; he was named Sacrosanct (a sacred person)

When was Octavian made consul for the 6th time?

28BC

When was Octavian made a censor and what power did this give him?

22 BC. He oversaw public finances, supervised public morality and maintained the census - this enabled him to eject senators who supported Antony from the senate on moral grounds (eliminating his enemies, took away legitimate political power)

In what ways was Octavian a true republican?

Acted as a good consul, had a colleague, took traditional oath that promised to act properly as a consul in line with custom

How did Octavian make himself seem like the champion of the republic?

he restored laws and rights to Roman people; undid all unconstitutional laws passed during civil wars; only ever 'bestowed' titles from the senate; elevated plebeian families to patrician status (showing he was on Plebs' side); acted as a traditional roman consul

How did the golden shield given by the Senate, displayed in the senate house, promote Octavian's authority?

displayed in public, broad reach, hub of political activity and influence demonstrating his power; decorated with 4 cardinal values, showing he pioneered and possessed these virtues, shows he has courage and strength

In what ways did Octavian tighten his grip on power in Rome?

given primacy in Senate (trumping traditionally primacy of consul) as could steer discussion in Senate meetings; continued to hold consulship so could direct activities of Senate; used personal fortune to influence elections and display himself as patron for good of Rome; through loyal commanders of army like Agrippa he had control over army; referred to as princeps, implying his role as leader of Rome; made some plebeian families patrician to bolster support in upper class; purged senate of Antony's supporters as censor with Agrippa

What problems with religion was Rome facing at the time of Augustus? (5 points)

1. Damaged temples and forgotten rituals - state religion in decline

2. Rise of rationalism and skepticism (evidenced in Cicero's writings)

3. Foreign cults from conquered provinces diluting Roman cult and belief

4. Mistrust of priests as they abused religion for political gain

5. Abandonment of traditional values (women more promiscuous etc)

Why did Augustus position himself as a religious leader?

1) Political leaders commonly held religious roles too (so he acted conventionally, gaining trust)

2) Conservative Romans blamed instability and civil war on deteriorated relationship with gods (by restoring it, seen as rebuilding Rome on firm roots of religion, gains support of conservatives)

3) It strengthened his link to the gods, particularly Apollo and Julius Caesar (seen as favoured by gods, respected and unchallengeable)

4) Control over augury - controls aspects of politics (gives him divine mandate for events and initiatives he started, gods' approval card, huge influence over Rome's perception of divine will, their future and worldview)

5) Took on the image of saviour and restorer of Rome's former glory

How did Augustus position himself as a religious leader in Rome?

1) Was a member of every college (actively involved in religious practice)

2) Revived priestly colleges such as Arval Brethren (concern for tradition and roots of Roman religion, piety and zeal for religion)

3) Reformed traditional religious festivals such as Lupercalia (incorporating modern spin on traditional events to stir interest and piety)

4) Repaired temples (82 in Rome alone) e.g. Temple of Jupiter Feretrius, symbolising rejuvenation of Rome's religious devotion (and demonstrating his own)

5) Built new temples e.g. to Jupiter the Thunderer and Minerva (improving public worship, creating more spaces for rituals, seen as gaining more favour from gods)

What does the Res Gestae state was hung over Augustus' door?

Civic Crown

What was the civic crown?

A military decoration given to someone that saved the lives of other Roman citizens

How did Augustus secure his power while maintaining the facade of a republic?

By holding traditional Republican offices like consul and censor

Why did Augustus portray himself as young?

New leader - shows he's bring a new age

Eternal youth - links to divinity

Recognisable face - links to his brand by keeping same image throughout his life

Going against old Republican ways

Possible links to Alexander the Great (such as in tousled hair) and younger leaders who have come before him

What year did the Parthian campaign take place?

22-19 BC

What was the history between Rome and Parthia?

In 53 BC Crassus tried to take Parthia but due to bad strategy lost the war, the Roman standard and his life. Parthia remained unconquered by Rome.

What did Augustus' Parthian campaign achieve?

The retrieval of the Roman standard and an apparent 'submission' of Parthia to Roman rule

How was the Parthian campaign falsely presented?

As a military campaign rather than diplomacy

Name 3 ways Augustus celebrated the Parthian campaign.

Release of new coins, commissioning of the Prima Porta (as voted by the Senate), and the Parthian arch (as seen on coins)

When was the Prima Porta statue voted in by the senate?

20 BC

When was Augustus given the grass crown and why?

27 BC, when he was named Augustus, as recognition that he saved Rome from civil war (which ended at Actium)

What was the significance of the grass crown?

highest and rarest honour, given to a general who had saved a legion or the entire army in battle, bestowed by the soldiers themselves

What was were the tribunician powers?

Sacrosanctity - Personal inviolability, making it a capital offense to harm him

Veto power - The ability to block the actions of any magistrate or the Senate

Right to convene the people - The right to summon the Senate or the assembly of the people and propose legislation

capital punishment - could exercise this against any person who interfered in the performance of his duties