Octavian's Settlements

When was the First Settlement created?

27BC

When was the Second Settlement created?

23BC

When was the Third Settlement created?

19BC

What lead to the creation of the First Settlement?

Octavian’s announcement of him transferring the Republic back to the Senate and the People

How did the people react to Octavian withdrawing from politics?

The refused and protested against it

What are the key aspects of the First Settlement?

The republic was formally returned to the Senate; Octavian would hold consulship every year; Octavian was made proconsular of a large province including Gaul, Spain, Syria and Egypt for 10 years

What was significant about Octavian holding consulship every year?

He could run the government and would always be the first to bring matters before the Senate

What was significant about Octavian holding proconsulship?

The armies in Octavian’s provinces swore allegiance to him

How did Octavian rule his provinces?

Through deputies chosen for their efficiency and reliability

What was significant about the powers Octavian gained in the second settlement?

He was accountable for the Senate and the people of Rome; A direct but not offensive way of exercising control

What was significant of Octavian’s popularity with the people in terms of politics?

He could tell people who to vote for

What three events lead to the creation of the Second Settlement?

The occurrence of a conspiracy against Octavian; Octavian nearly dying from illness; He was tired from the day-to-day running of the state the consulship involved

What did the conspiracy against Octavian show?

That some people were dissatisfied with Octavian’s method of rule; Nobles couldn’t achieve top position in politics and satisfy their ambition

What are the key aspects of the Second Settlement?

Augustus resigned consulship but maintained Proconsular imperium mais and tribunicia potestas

What powers did Octavian have as proconsular imperium mais?

He remained in control of almost all the provinces with military presence and all new provinces came under his jurisdiction; The power didn’t cease upon returning to Rome

What could Octavian do as proconsular imperium mais?

He could intervene in the administration of any province

What powers did Octavian have as Tribunicia potestas?

He had the power of a tribune, could put proposals before the Plebian Assembly, could consult and bring his business before the senate, could use the power of veto, had the right to pardon

Who did Octavian share his powers as tribunicia potestas and proconsular imperium mais with and why?

Agrippa and Tiberius because these powers could be bequeathed in a will

Why did the people offer Octavian Dictatorship?

They blamed a corn shortage that occured in 22BC on the fact that Augustus laid down the consulship

Why did Octavian decline the offer of Dictatorship?

He could easily rule through his tribunicia potestas and proconsular imperium mais

Quote from Cassius Dio appoint the Romans wanting to appoint Octavian as Dictator

The Romans had thought this evil had not come on them by chance but because they didn’t have Augustus as consul for this year too, so they wanted to appoint him dictator. Shutting up the senate in the senate house, they forced them to vote this, by threatening to burn them in it

Quote by Cassius Dio about Octavian’s reaction to being offered dictatorship

Since he had the power and honour exceeding even dictators, he rightly shunned the envy and hatred this title would bring.

What lead to the creation of the Third Settlement?

Election disturbances in 21BC and 19BC where the people elected one consul and left the second consulship open for Octavian

What are the key aspects of the third settlement?

Augustus recieved consular powers for life; Was given the right to put forward any laws he wished; Sat between the two consuls in the Senate house

How did Octavian settle the election disputes?

He recommended/ensured certain people got the vacant consulship

What was the effect of monarchy on freedom of information according to Cassius Dio

Previously all events… were reported to the Senate and people so everyone knew about them. But from time on, everything was done in secret official confidentiality

How did people react to publicised information during the monarchy according to Cassius Dio

When any news had been made public, it is disbelieved because it couldn’t be checked…

Why did people react to publicised information with suspicion according to Cassius Dio

Suspicion that everything is reported and performed to suit the wishes of those in power

What change was made to the judicial system?

Senators were used for jury trial

When was Augustus made Pater Patraie and why?

2BC because he was seen as a patriarchal figure protecting the state

What honours were given to Octavian?

Given the name Augustus; Wreaths of bay leaves and civic crowns attached to his door; The day of Augustus’ return is observed as a public holiday