FINAL Imperial Image Some Prescribed Literary Sources Notes

What type of poem is Horace, IX - A Toast to Actium?

Epode, normally sung by one person not a chorus

Date written

30 BC

3 multiple choice options

Significance of Horace, IX - A Toast to Actium

celebrates Octavian's victory at Actium

Anticipates Roman victory, looking forward to triumph in Rome

What was the context in which A Toast to Actium was written?

Probably composed before Antony and Cleopatra's deaths (references A changing red commander's cloak to black cloak, signifying death)

What details of Actium does A Toast to Actium include?

Vague details of Actium - mostly references old battles and heroes, claiming Octavian trumps them all

Key themes within A Toast to Actium

War, Actium, Imperator (successful military leader), overconfidence, celebration

Who is A Toast to Actium addressed to?

Maecenas - a patron of the arts in Rome, close friend and political advisor of Octavian, who commissioned this poem

In Horace's Epode IX: A Toast to Actium, what sort of image does Horace create of Cleopatra and her forces?

Calls her 'a woman' - not by name, dissociating, 'othering', weak and effeminate connotations;

'withered eunuchs' in Alexandria make up her forces - infertile, dying, twisted, unnatural, repulsive to Roman audience

In Horace's Epode IX: A Toast to Actium, what mood does Horace create throughout this poem? How and why does it change?

Celebratory, triumphant, boastful;

changes to wistful when talking about Antony - 'sadly' 'though a soldier, deigns to serve the withered eunuchs';

Becomes triumphant, references Jugurtha and Carthage, how Octavian is better than those generals;

back to celebratory at end - 'bring more spacious bowls...let's delight', with hopeful tone - fear is gone, Octavian's rule brings happiness.

In Horace's Epode IX: A Toast to Actium, what sort of imge does this poem create of Octavian himself?

Better than other generals, following in Julius Caesar's footsteps, victorious over enemies, bringing in celebration and prosperity (wine etc)

In Horace's Epode IX: A Toast to Actium, how does he convey the benefits that Octavian has brought to Romans?

Celebration - festive banquets, music; prosperity - references to wine; ends fear of civil war - Octavian has restored Rome, banished fear and will keep peace

In Horace's Ode 1.37: Cleopatra, what sort of the image does Horace create for Cleopatra and her forces?

Cleopatra: Weak, wicked, enemy of Rome, monstrous; deranged and unstable;

threatened by O and trapped, only escape is death.

Her forces: 'deeply-corrupted creatures sick with turpitude' - they love evil and depraved behaviour which is why they follow her

Towards the end: respectful, honours her choice of suicide over capture 'showed no sign of womanish fear'.

In Horace's Ode 1.37: Cleopatra, what mood does Horace create throughout this poem?

Spiteful to Cleopatra;

Jubilant at victory, boasts of her effeminacy, gloating, wickedness, being terrified by Octavian;

warning and solemn at the grievousness of the situation before Octavian saved everyone

In Horace's Ode 1.37: Cleopatra, what sort of image does this poem create of Octavian himself?

Caesar is threatening and terrifying to Cleopatra;

Octavian is invincible - Cleopatra know she'll never win;

O is saviour of Rome, hunted evil queen until she's dead, thwarted wicked plots against Rome;

triumphant 'proud triumph';

utterly victorious;

great general - follows her 'close' with skill of predator after prey

In Horace's Ode 1.37: Cleopatra, what impression of Actium does this poem give?

Total defeat of Cleopatra and Antony;

Cleopatra fled because she knew there was no hope, Octavian is totally victorious;

she was utterly stripped of powers and her only escape was death, Octavian is superior;

Octavian pursued her, he is purger and hero of Rome

In Propertius' Elegy 3.11: Woman's Power, how does Propertius frame Cleopatra?

As a manipulative, overbearing, wicked queen.

Through personal reference to his own enslavement to a woman and detailed references to other controlling women in myth and history, Propertius emphasises the graveness and horrors of being under a woman's power, with Cleopatra as the worst of them because she threatened not only 'her obscene husband' but Rome: 'heaped insults on our army';

Is shocked at her attempts to control Rome

Examples of Cleopatra and Egypt being derided in Propertius' Elegy 3.11: Woman's Power

derogatory terms such as '*hore';

accuses her of being drunken 'your tongue spoke overpowered by endless wine';

condescending contrasts of deities 'oppose our Jupiter with yapping Anubis';

'you fled then to the wandering mouths of frightened Nile'

In Propertius' Elegy 3.11: Woman's Power, how does Propertius present Octavian?

as saviour of Rome who brings them victory 'celebrate a triumph Rome, and saved by Augustus';

as greater even than Jupiter - 'with Caesar alive, Rome scarcely need fear Jove';

as better than other past generals of Rome - 'Where are Scipio's ships now...?';

as completely conquering the terrible threat of Cleopatra - 'your hands received Romulus' chains';

by emphasising Cleopatra's power and danger, it makes Octavian seem even more impressive

In Propertius' Elegy 3.11: Woman's Power, how is Cleopatra presented as a threat?

Propertius emphasises danger of a woman taking over a man's life using examples from his own life and myths ('why do you wonder if a woman entwines my life and brings a man enslaved under her rule');

'Jupiter shames himself and his house' - Jupiter is ashamed of being threatened by Cleopatra;

'Cleopatra, who heaped insults on our army' - brought dishonour to Rome;

'demanded the walls of Rome...bound to her rule' - tried to seize power over Rome (possibly reference to Donations of Alexandria), a disgusting prospect to Roman audience;

'as a reward from her obscene husband' - Antony was bewitched by her dangerous power and is thus degraded;

'dared to oppose our Jupiter with yapping Anubis' - patron gods represent warfare, Cleopatra using animalistic and unnatural gods to defy Rome's superior gods;

'the city...that directs the whole Earth, was terrified of a woman's power and fearful of her threats' - despite its greatness, Rome is scared, recognising Cleo as formidable enemy;

'what was it worth...if now we had to endure this woman?' - claiming all Rome's victories would have been vain if conquered by such a vile power

How successfully does Propertius' Elegies 4.6: The Temple of Palatine Apollo convey Augustus as a religious leader?

'unless you defend her, Romulus misread the birds...' - Apollo suggests it is vital Augustus win the battle to fulfil fate foretold by his ancestors; links Augustus to ancestor who was renowned augur

Augustus built the temple which claims the theme of this poem;

His reign allows them to perform the sacrifices described in the opening lines;

'Apollo the victor now demands my lyre, and sheds his weapons for the dance of peace' - peace from his reign allows performance of ceremonial dances

In Propertius' Elegies 4.6: The Temple of Palatine Apollo, how effectively is the relationship between Augustus and Apollo conveyed?

Apollo speaks personally to Augustus at Actium, conveying their close relationship and victory through his favour;

Augustus builds temple to Apollo at Actium and in Rome to increase Apollo's honour, demonstrating his devotion;

'Rome won, through Apollo's loyalty' - the victory is down to Apollo alone, working through his favoured Augustus;

'He...lent the contents of his quiver to the bow...Caesar's javelin was next' - Augustus following after Apollo's actions symbolises their connection and his likeness to Apollo

In Propertius' Elegies 4.6: The Temple of Palatine Apollo, how successfully is Augustus conveyed as a leader (other than religious)?

Military leader as won the battle at Actium;

'Apollo...sheds his weapons for the dance of peace' (connection of victory in war = peace) + symbols of wine - his reign brings peace and prosperity;

'Augustus, world-deliverer' - saviour of Rome

Examples of gods' favour for Augustus in Propertius' Elegies 4.6: The Temple of Palatine Apollo

'we will speak of the Temple of Palatine Apollo: Calliope, the subject is worthy of your favour' - evokes Calliope, muse of the epic, as if the muse would frame Augustus' victory at Actium (won by Apollo's favour) as a heroic and infamous tale; 'sails filled by Jupiter's favour';

'Nereus bent the formations in a twin arc';

'Phoebus...stood over Augustus' stern...then he spoke: "O Augustus..."' - Apollo's proximity and conversation communicate his favour and closeness;

'Caesar his "father" marvelled' - Caesar the god is impressed and glorified by Augustus' victory - links to divine descent, glorifies Augustus too;

'the goddesses of the sea applauded' - all the minor gods of the sea approve

When was Propertius' Elegies 3.12 Chaste and Faithful Galla written?

20 BC

What is the significance of Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla?

Highlights the negative impacts of Augustus' military campaigns, particularly on those left behind through the destruction of the family unity. Adopts a disapproving tone and criticises those who choose to fight in them

What does Propertius focus on in his Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla?

The grief of those left behind; the arduous trials of a military campaign.

In Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla, why does Galla suffer?

She has no news of whether Postumus is dead or alive and fears to hear of his death; she is tempted to unfaithfulness through lack of direction; she is waiting for her husband to return home

How does Propertius try to arouse the emotions of the reader throughout his Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla?

Images of grieving wife; inciting anger at cruel husband for leaving wife; emotive language such as 'pine away' revealing depth of grief

Why is it hard to be sympathetic towards Augustus in Propertius' Elegies: 3.12 Chaste and Faithful Galla?

His campaigns cause this grief to families; especially the line 'Galla repeatedly begging you not to do it' evokes pathos for Galla and makes it difficult to support his military campaigns

What does Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla remind the reader of? (in terms of the reality of war)

The grief it causes to those left behind; the weariness of long absences and frugal living on campaigns; the likelihood that soldiers will die in battle

What is going on a foreign campaign linked to in Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla?

Ulysses' long absence and arduous journey home from the Trojan War, highlighting the tribulations and sacrifices made

What is the tone of Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla?

Disapproving and shaming decisions to go to war; realism of grave consequences; lamenting the suffering that comes from war; praising the wives who stay faithful in their hubsands' absence

Why might Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla not be directed at Augustus?

It is directed specifically to Postumus (a soldier) rather than Augustus, accusing him of desiring 'Parthia's spoils' and being 'greedy' for gain - as soldiers fought in order to get the payment and land as a veteran. It may also be directed at leaders who desire to conquer other nations for their riches rather than the good of Rome (as Augustus claimed he never fought an offensive war and that he never conquered anyone who wasn't a threat to Rome).

Why is the comparison to Odysseus important in Propertius' Elegies 3.12: Chaste and Faithful Galla?

Glory and wealth are acquired through warfare, which is what heroes aim to gain. This paints Augustus as a hero because he increases opportunities for men to gain this too. However the poem criticises men who prioritise gain over relationships as this is acting for their own selfish purposes and not in line with traditional Roman value of pieta (which makes a Roman hero such as Aeneas).