Review of Primary Source Analysis: Roman Emperors

Flashcards covering key figures and primary source analysis from the Roman Emperors lecture.

Augustus - Augustus' Strategy

"To prevent any single colleague from gaining too much influence." - Augustus strategically used multiple colleagues during his consulship shows his attention to balancing power.

Augustus - Denarius, 13 BC

"Coin depicting Agrippa and Augustus side by side as tribunes…" - Denarius, 13 BC, portrays Augustus as cooperative and non-autocratic by featuring Agrippa alongside him, showing shared power.

Augustus - Agrippa's Cooperation

"Agrippa's loyalty and political pragmatism…" - Agrippa's Cooperation shows his support for Augustus despite initial disagreements, demonstrating political unity and loyalty.

Augustus - Seneca on Livia

"Seneca portraying Livia as a model of effective female advice…" - Seneca on Livia highlights Augustus' willingness to consider advice from women, indicating a broad-minded approach to governance.

Tiberius - Tacitus on Sejanus' Influence

"Illustrates how Sejanus gained unprecedented influence over Tiberius, bypassing the Senate." - Tacitus on Sejanus' Influence points out Sejanus' dangerous level of control over Tiberius, undermining senatorial authority.

Tiberius - Tacitus' view of Sejanus

"Tacitus presents Sejanus as duplicitous and power-hungry…" - Tacitus' view of Sejanus foreshadows Sejanus’ downfall by depicting him as manipulative and ambitious.

Tiberius - Velleius Paterculus on Sejanus

"Velleius Paterculus praises Sejanus and the rise of merit over birthright…" - Velleius Paterculus on Sejanus emphasizes Sejanus' equestrian background as a positive trait, valuing meritocracy.

Tiberius - Cassius Dio on Sejanus

"Cassius Dio downplays Sejanus’ merit, implying his rise was undeserved…" - Cassius Dio on Sejanus reflects senatorial resentment towards Sejanus by questioning his qualifications and rise to power.

Claudius - Cassius Dio on Claudius

"Depicts Claudius as weak and manipulated, with real control exercised by his wife and freedmen." - Cassius Dio on Claudius portrays Claudius as easily influenced, with his decisions controlled by those around him.

Claudius - Seneca, Apocolocyntosis

"A satirical take that underscores Claudius’ subservience to his freedmen." - Seneca, Apocolocyntosis satirizes Claudius’ dependence on his freedmen, highlighting his lack of control.

Claudius - Suetonius on Claudius

"Presents Claudius as completely dominated by those close to him…" - Suetonius on Claudius reinforces the idea that Claudius lacked agency and decision-making power, controlled by his inner circle.

Claudius - Cassius Dio on Messalina

"Suggests Messalina had immense influence, able to determine fates of senators and equestrians…" - Cassius Dio on Messalina portrays her as morally corrupt and powerful, able to influence life-and-death decisions for elites.

Aureus, AD 54

"Coin depicting