Revolts and Rebellions

What did Augustus want to project to his subjects

• communicated how his new order brought peace and stability to the Roman empire

• Pax Augusta

Pax

• Personification of peace
  - always depicted as a woman

• Linked to the principate
  - image used by Augustus and his successors
  - project image that they will bring peace
  - used on coins and monuments
  - prominent motif in the Templum Pacis built by Vespasian

• Picked up on by imperial subjects
  -

Why was peace so important to emperors?

• peace is fought for and defended
  - ability to do this is a major element of an emperor’s capacity to rule well

Flavians and military victory

• Used victory in the Jewish War in self representation in Rome
  - showcase military prowess and claim to rule
  - worked especially well as they were ruling post civil wars

What was one way peace was esablished

• through military victory and domination

• Early c1 CE: Colonies in Roman Gaul built triumphal arches on with depictions of subdued Gauls on them

What does Tacitus blame for the revolts in Britain ?

• Poor behaviour from governors
  - use of oppression and violence
  - too greedy to exploit people and resources

• Tac. Agr. 15

• Tac. Ann. 14.31: It was the Roman officials’ not honouring the deal with the Icenian tribe that led to revolt
  - “drove the natives from their homes” and violated the late kings daughters

Are revolts common?

• in C1 yes.
  - seen all across the empire
  - Asia, North Africa, Gaul, Judea

Who was Flavius Josephus?

• Commander of the rebel forces in Judea

• Found initial success but was eventually captured

• spends time in Rome
  - ends up gaining citizenship
  - owes his life to the Flavians

• Offers a narrative account of rebellion