Res Gestae 1-10 Cooley

Why does Augustus refer to himself as a privatus in chapter 1? What did Brutus do, according to Cicero?

They remind the reader of L. Brutus and Pompey. Brutus as a privatus expelled the Tarquinii from Rome.

Why does he emphasises his age in chapter 1?

to call to mind other youthful champions of Rome whom he had surpassed, notably Scipio Africanus, who had been granted consular imperium at 24, and Pompey, who had raised a private army in support of Sulla when he was 23.

Who was the army that Octavian raised?

The army of Caesarian vertans in Campanian in 44 BC, whose loyalty he got from generous bribes.

Who is the "despotic faction"? How did Cicero describe Antony in the Philippics which Augustus clearly emulates here? What exact situation is being alluded to here?

All of Octavian's enemies. He attributes tyrannical designs to him (but crucially doesn't mention him!). Octavian, Hirtius and Pansa fighting against Antony to free one of Caesar's assassins, D. Iunius Brutus Albinus, from being besieged at Mutina in Cisalpine Gaul (43 BC). It might mean that Antony was forced to leave Rome. Delivering the state.

What might "I liberated' mean? How was Octavian presented interm-6 the Philippics? Why does he use the phrase "in libertatem vindicavi"?

It might mean that Antony was forced to leave Rome. Delivering the state. A liberator of Rome. The expression implies that Antony was a dominus, enslaving Rome.

Why did the senate pass honorific decrees? Who elected Cicero to the senate? Why was it a big deal to have "consular precedence"?

They granted retrospective approval to Octavian, sanctioning his illegal acts. Cicero. At meetings of the senate, senators were invited to give their opinions in strict hierarchial order. Consuls were first.

What is "imperium"? Who later celebrated the day when Octavian got granted imperium at the altar to the numen of Augustus?

The supreme command granted to high-ranking magistrates. Narbo.

How did the triumvirate happen? Why does Augustus not mention Antony by name?

Octavian resigned from the post of consul and joined up with Lepidus and Antony (who had fled to Gaul following his defeat at Mutina). After combining their armies they went down to track the "liberators." He obscures the fact that by the end of the same chapter Antony has been transformed from enemy of the state into triumviral colleague.

Why was Octavian appointed consul (and when)? What key detail does he miss out?

Both consuls had died. 43 BC. He met strong opposition from the senate, and marched to Rome at the head of his army in response.

What does Augustus display in avenging his father in chapter 2? How do we know that Octavian made the most of publicising his status as adopted son of Julius Caesar?

His pietas and iustitia. He organised the ludi victoria Caesaris in 44 BC in honour of Venus Genetrix, ancestress of the Julian family.

Which law was set up so that Octavian could drive the liberators into exile "by way of the courts of law"? Why does Dio cassius disapprove of this?

The lex Pedia de interfectoribus Caesaris. The law was used as a way to get rid of Octavian's personal opponents, even if they had no connection to the murder.

"While they were making war upon the state." What does Augustus emphasise here?

Brutus and Cassius started hostilities.

How does Augustus' claim that he beat his enemies twice in battle clash with what he says in his Autobiography? Who actually won?

He says in his autobiography that he rose from his sickbed to absent himself from the camp on that day in response to a warning received by one of his friends in a dream. Antony defeated Cassius, who committed suicide in the belief Brutus had been killed. The second battle which seemed to have been chiefly fought by Antony, resulted in the suicide of Brutus.

Which wars was Antony involved in? Which were the only 2 wars conducted by Augustus in person (the rest done under his auspicies by his legates)?

Mutina against Antony (43 BC), Philippi against Brutus and Cassius (42 BC), Perusia against Lucius Antonius (41-40 BC), in the seas around Sicily against Sextus Pompey (36 BC), against Antony at Actium (31 BC). Dalmatia and Cantabria

Who was first celebrated for rule over land and sea in Rome? What did peace by land and sea allow to be closed?

Pompey. The gates of Janus in 13 BC

Who does Augustus copy in claiming clementia? What does Suetonius tell us he did which suggests he was acc quite nice? What did he do in the triumvirate which wasn't nice at all?

Julius Caesar. He spared some of Antony and Cleopatra's children. Proscriptions!

What were colonies (where Aug settled his veterans)?

Towns of high status, with all their inhabitants being entitled to Roman citizenship.

"After they had completed their terms of service." What did Aug do which was very different from practice during the Republic? What could veterans expect once they were discharged?

He established a professional core to the army out of volunteers who made the army their career, with fixed terms of service, salary, and retirement packages.A reward - cash or land.

Were ovations as good as triumphs? When did Octavian get his two?

No. First with Antony in 40 BC to celebrate the Treaty of Brundisium. Then in 36 BC to celebrate his defeat of Sextus Pompey.

Which 3 triumphs does Augustus refer to in driving triumphal chariots 3 times? When was he called a victorious general? Why did he refuse future offers of a triumph after his triple triumph?

His victories in Dalmatia (36-34 BC), at Actium (31 BC) and Egypt (30 BC). For victories won by himself and by members of his family. Julius Caesar as a dictator had 5 triumphs.

Which vows did Augustus make?

Vows made to Capitoline Jupiter before embarking on a campaign.

Why did Augustus take control of the auspices? Why did this mean no one else could have triumphs?

When he was consul from 31 BC to 23 BC, and when he was given control over almost all the legions in the provinces, he took on a new roles as commander in chief of the Roman army. No one could have triumphs cos you had to possess the auspicies in war yourself.

What were supplicationes? When did Octavian have a 50 day long one? When did Augustus receive supplicationes for victories won by his legates?

days of ceremonial thanksgiving to the gods for success. After Mutina. After the recovering of the standards from the Parthians

When was Augustus consul after 23 BC?

only twice, in 5 and 2 BC, when he introduced his adopted sons Gaius and Lucius into public life.

When was tribunician power granted to Augustus first? Could he summon the senate when he wanted, summon popular assembly and propose legislation? Impose a veto on actions of other magistrates? Force citizens to obey his orders?

23 BC, to last for the rest of his life. YES.

Why did the plebs want Augustus to be dictator in 22 BC? Why does Augustus make a point of refusing the dictatorship inside and outside Rome?

There was famine at Rome, and they were concerned he would not see it as his responsibility to sort out since this was the first time since 31 BC that he had not been consul. He wants to show the difference between himself and Caesar, who untook his second dictatorship in 48 BC when he was absent from Italy.

How does Augustus use his success at managing the corn supply to surpass Pompey?

Pompey was in charge of Rome's corn supply throughout the world for a 5 year period.

Does Suetonius think Augustus became administrator of the laws, although he says he wasn't? Why might this be?

Yes. Aug did what was required by virtue of his tribunician power instead.

"The things the senate wanted to be accomplished by me..." Do we know what he's talking about here?

No. Could be his moral legislation.

Who were the 2 colleagues granted tribunician power by Augustus?

First Agrippa from 18-13 BC, and then Tiberius in 6 BC.

Why did the triumvirate last for 10 years?

It was meant to go on for 5 years but continued when the initial term expired in 38 BC.

When did Augustus become pontifex maximus? Why were his priestly functions so important for his self-image? How was Augustus' unprecedented accumulation of all 4 priesthoods commemorated?

in 12 BC at the death of Lepidus. They conveyed the message that Augustus was a crucial intermediary with the gods in securing their support for Rome. On a denarii issued at Rome in 16 BC.

Were the sodales Titius and fetiales obscure priesthoods? What did each of them do?

Yes - they were revived by Augustus. Soladis Titius = augury? Fetiales = Making treaties and declaring war (Octavian revived this rite in 32 BC to declare war on Cleopatra)

How did Augustus copy Julius Caesar in increasing the number of patricians?

Caesar had raised some plebeian families into the patriciate through the lex Cassia in 45 BC.

What was wrong with the senate at the beginning of the Augustan era? How did Augustus transform it?

It was absolutely massive and included freedmen! He more than doubled the minimum property requirement. Made senatorial status hereditary

When did Augustus conduct a census with Agrippa? Why does Augustus document a steady increase in the numbers of Roman citizens in each of his 3 censuses?

29 BC. They demonstrate the benefits brought about by his rule (juxtaposes his new laws with the steadily increasing numbers of citizens to imply success of his laws in encouraging population growth?)

What are examples of ancestral practices Augustus brought back?

The taking of the census associated with assessing the moral worthiness of citizens. Restored religious practises and traditional Roman morality through adultery laws etc.

Why is the idea that Augustus would pass down exempla to future generations so important?

It shows Augustus' conception of his place in society. Imperial ideology espoused ideal of princeps leading by example (Suet: Aug showing grandchildren to protesting equestrians etc.)

The vows Augustus mentioned were associated with what? Why does he mention "vivo me"? What is an example of when prayers were made publicly for Octavian?

Games. It was an exceptional honour for games to be performed in one's lifetime. After his victory over Cleopatra in 30 BC, decreed by the senate.

The inclusion of Augustus in the Salian hymn may have brought to mind who? Who else was later added?

Hercules, whose deeds were celebrated in their hymn by Virgil's Salii. Gaius, Lucius, Germanicus and Drusus.

What did sacrosanctity protect Augustus from?

Physical or verbal violence.

Which "colleague" did Augustus replace? Why does he say he was dodgy? Why does Augustus make a big deal about his election?

Lepidus. He succeeded Julius Caesar as pontifex maximus in dubious circumstances in 44 BC. It shows he was returning to traditional practice, with a popular assembly electing the pontifex maximus.