imperial image

How would associating with Julius Caesar help Augustus gain popularity with the plebians?

The PC saw Caesar as a positive public figure due to his work with the plebians as well as the stability he brought to their lives- positive propaganda

How would associating with Julius Caesar give the impression of military strength?

Julius Caesar was known to the men of the army and the upper classes to be a capable and skilled military leader and he had several victories to his name.

Why would Augustus need to make this association in this part of his career (Divi Filius)?

He needed to begin to form a legacy and so crafting himself in Julius Caesar's image was a good place to start. It would have also worked against his youth.

What are the benefits of Augustus replacing his biological father with Caesar (adoptive father)?

Aside from the popularity with the classes and the militant strength, Augustus' biological father was a banker (dishonourable) with no family connections so the Julian clan gave A what he was lacking.

How did the Caesar Heir Aureus (43BC) help Augustus achieve his association with JC?

Showing them on the same coin emphasisses their connection, the use of the words “divi filius”

In what ways was the Caesar Heir Aureus (43BC) successful as propaganda?

Depicting Caesar with a laurel suggests Octavian too will be successful, it named Octavian as a "Caesar", it was distributed through the whole empire, it distanced Caesar from the problematic parts of his image

In what way was the Caesar Heir Aureus (43BC) unsuccessful as propaganda?

It would have only really worked on the plebians who had no political standing, its really overt so its easy to see through.

What are the dangers of associating with Caesar for Augustus?

He was highly unpopular with the upper classes so he might get assassinated, it means he had to accommodate for potential kingly behaviour, it gives him a lot to live up to.

How did Augustus seek to distance himself from the bad parts of Caesar's image?

On coins of the time he was sure to emphasise the democratic aspects of his titles, he worked close in hand with the senate (donated his army to them, fought in the battle against Antony at Mutina with the consuls) and started his career in the traditional way

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When did Augustus get his first consulship and how?

43BC, he marched on the senate with his troops and demanded to made consul.

What did Augustus do with his new consulship?

He decided to form an alliance between Mark Antony, Lepidus and himself (The second triumvirate)

What did the second triumvirate do in 42BC and how did they justify it?

Led the battle of Philippi against Brutus and Cassius as a way of “avenging Caesar“

How did Augustus cement links with Antony prior to the battle at Philippi?

By giving Antony's daughter to Octavian in marriage and taking an oath, cementing Julius' will. Lepidus was the worst off in the - any fame he received from their victory would be secondary and he was the most unprotected, with the least number of legions

How did Brutus and Cassius prepare for the Battle at Philippi?

By acquiring twenty legions and promising them financial incentives.

What did Goldsworthy say of the Battle at Philippi?

“a war fought by large and clumsy armies, where none of the senior officers had any experience of warfare on a grand scale“

What were the outcomes of the Battle at Philippi?

Octavian suffered many failures throughout the battle. Antony came out best from the battle, he received the most pardons and credit and the aristocratic prisoners favoured him.

What happened after the Battle at Philippi?

Augustus returned to Italy and started working on the land distribution while Antony remained in the eastern med to ensure loyalty (they were on the side of the liberators)

Why were the land distributions controversial?

Because the wealthy were too well connected, the land was mainly taken off the middle to lower class. While all this was being settled, the soldiers in their number had slowly become a vital political force. Lepidus was given control over the little parts of Africa that the republic controlled.

What happened in 41BC that was a threat to the triumvirate?

In 41BC, Antony's brother Lucius became consul, taking up the cause of the people dispossessed by Octavian (joined by Antony's wife Fulvia, who targeted the veterans to convert) Later that year, Lucius Antonius marched on Rome and drove out Lepidus

What did Augustus do in 40BC that improved his militant legacy?

Lucius surrendered in 40BC and the town was sacked and sent up in flames. Supposedly, Octavian slaughtered over 300 people (Suetonius claimed that 300 were sacrificed on the altar of Caesar on the anniversary of his death)

What did Antony do in 40BC following Augustus's slow concentration of power?

He made an alliance with Pompey to defend the East from attack from Parthia.

Who was Sextus Pompey?

He was the son of Pompey the Great, who had been inadvertently killed by Julius Caesa and a member of the faction that opposed Julius Caesar in 44BC. Outlawed by the Proscriptions in 43BC. He had been given the title of "Prefect of the fleet and Maritime shores" by the Senate that same year.

What happened at Brundisium?

Antony and Octavian's troops forced a treaty by refusing to fight. It divided the empire through the middle, with Octavian controlling the West and Antony in the East (both retaining the right to recruit troops in Italy) By this point Fulvia had died and was blamed for the war. Antony was then married to Octavian's daughter, Octavia.

What did Sextus Pompey do in 42BC?

He fled the proscriptions and occupied Sicily- initially working with the government, he took sole control and gained numbers by accepting slaves and freedmen into his fleet. By the time of the treaty of Brundisium, he had blockaded Rome to stop the flow of grain.

How did Augustus try to form an alliance with Sextus Pompey?

Pompey had initially lent his support to Antony against Octavian but when he left for the East, Octavian tried to build links with Pompey through a marriage to Scribonia (who was related to Pompey through marriage)

What happened between Augustus and Scribonia in 38BC?

Octavian divorced her on the day that she gave birth to his daughter Julia and Pompey claimed the triumvirs had not honoured their deal and renewed his attacks.

How did Augustus rebuke Sextus Pomey's claims in 38BC

Octavian claimed that captured pirates had admitted to working for Pompey. Menas (Pompey's admiral) was bribed by Octavian to give him control of Corsica and Sardinia (Octavian planned an invasion of Sicily in 38BC)

Why did Augustus' invasion of Sicily in 38BC fail?

Octavian gathered two large fleets which he planned to converge to invade the island which he failed to do because the fleets and commanders were inexperienced. Two storms also helped to weaken Octavian's forces.

What developments were made in the invasion of Sicily (by Augustus) in 37BC?

Both sides had fleets under 300. Agrippa planned a three-pronged invasion, with Lepidus bringing 14 legions from Africa. He defeated Pompey off at Mylae but Octavian was defeated at Tauromenium.

What happened on September the 3rd, 37BC?

Pompey was forced into major action at Naulochus- Agrippa destroyed the fleet and Octavian had to be woken to give command. Pompey fled to Asia where he was eventually killed by a general of Antony's. Lepidus used the occasion to demand control of Sicily (Octavian bribed his troops, walked out with them, and stripped him of his power)

Why and when was the Temple of Mars Ultor built?

Built to commemorate Augustus' victory in 42BC at the battle at Philippi. It became the place where important military decisions were made and was the sight of several state ceremonies of a military connotation.

Describe the Temple of Mars Ultor?

Who was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa?

A Roman consul, statesman, general, and architect who became Augustus' general and naval commander in 37BC

What effect did incorporating Apollo's imagery into his coinage as his patron saint have on Augustus' image?

Associated Octavian with success, healing, prophecy, and knowledge, as the use of co-marketing allows preconceptions of Apollo to be transferred to Augustus

What effect did dressing as Apollo at his wedding have on Augustus' image?

Suggested that the union of Livia and Octavian was blessed by the gods, providing a feeling of security to the Romans, due to the belief that portrayals of the gods could actually become them.

What effect did connecting Apollo's temple to his own house have on Augustus' image?

Welcomes Octavian to the pantheon and puts him on the same level of esteem and power as Apollo (essentially a literal take on "the house of god")

What effect did emulating Hercules' appearance have on Antony's image?

Suggested (to the East) that he was a strong soldier who was pleasurable company, as the use of comarketing connects Hercules' reputation with his own

What did Antony begin to do on his coinage?

Associate himself with Hellenistic religious practices, and depicted himself next to Octavian, wearing a crown of Ivy

What effect did Antony's new coinage have on his image?

Suggested he was a friend of the east despite maintaining his loyalty to the west, sets him up as "everyone's man" or as someone who's welcoming the East into Rome's ancestry (as the combination of both Roman and Hellenistic symbols shows no clear bias)

What effect did forming a Dionysian cult have on Antony's image?

Suggested he was passionate and inspired and that he embodies the spirit of Dionysus- since Dionysus is an oracular and inspiring force, Antony welcoming him into his heritage would allow him to take on his gifts and qualities

Why was associating himself with Dionysus a bad idea for Antony?

Octavian could now set Antony up as a traitor to Rome, a man who betrayed the controlled and civilized ways of Roman life for a wild life of Hubris, he could manipulate the Dionysian image to portray Antony as a drunkard and a madman, someone who had been rendered incompetent to handle power

Why was Antony's use of the Dionysian image a weaker grab at godly power than Octavian's?

Dionysus was only a demigod, Octavian had two whole gods on his side (Apollo, his patron saint, and Venus, his ancestral lineage)

What effect did Antony's use of the Herculean image have on the culture?

The claiming of a decent from Hercules allowed the story of the demigod being duped by Omphale ("She wears the trousers") to be revived in literature and art against him.

Why was Antony's association with Cleopatra a political misstep?

While she had the power and the soliders he needed, her Eastern heritage allowed Octavian to use the culture of decadence and magic to turn her into a wicked temptress, a witch who had seduced Antony into mutiny against the mos maiorum.

Why was Antony's sexual relationship with Cleopatra a political misstep?

The bigamy and infidelity that he committed against Octavia in making Cleopatra his mistress not only turned the Romans against him (as it was morally unacceptable to them), it gave Octavian an easy out for treating Antony with disrespect.

Who was Livia Drusilla?

Livia Drusilla was the third wife of Octavian as of 39BC. She came from an old political family and was famously beautiful and intelligent, her two sons were of particular use to Octavian as they were potential for political marriages.

Describe the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra?

Cleopatra and Antony became lovers in the autumn and winter of 41-40BC, he left her pregnant and secure on the throne. In the winter of 37-36BC he brought Cleopatra to Antioch and renewed the affair while arranging for Egyptian grain to help feed his army and silver to pay them. In 35BC, Octavia travelled to Athens with some cavalry and vital animals- Antony took the supplies but ordered Octavia to return to Rome. Octavian was quick to contrast the curt rejection of an honourable Roman wife with Antony's shameless parading of Cleopatra.

What were the donations of Alexandria?

Granting Cleopatra and the couple's three children large swathes of the Eastern provinces. Antony's closest allies suppressed his own report of the event because it was so damaging.

Describe the parade Antony conducted as part of the donations of Alexandria?

Antony formed a procession leading to the gymnasium, dressed as Dionysus, and filled it. He placed two thrones of gold (one for himself and one for Cleopatra) on a tribunal of silver, declaring Cleopatra the "queen of kings", giving her and Caesarion Egypt, Cyprus, Libya, and Syria and leaving Alexander and Ptolomy Armenia, Media, and Parthia. He declared his sons "kings of kings" and presented them to the crowd in median garb and a headdress (Alexander) and a short cloak and a diadem (Ptolomy) Cleopatra was dressed in a cloak sacred to Isis and was deemed the "new" Isis of Egypt.

How did Antony use Caesarion as a political ploy?

Following the smear campaign pioneered by Octavian, Antony began to emphasise his illegitimate claim as Caesar's heir. In retaliation, Octavian commissioned a pamphlet by the hand of Oppius, "proving" that Caesarion was not Caesar's child at all. In his will, stolen and publicly revealed by Octavian, Antony formally recognised Caesarion as Caesar's son, gave legacies to his children by Cleopatra, and asked to be laid to rest in Alexandria with Cleopatra even if he died in Italy. Meanwhile, Octavian was building his Mausoleum.

When did the Roman republic formally declare war on Cleopatra?

32BC

When did Antony's army enter Greece?

In 31BC. Octavian moved his soldiers across the Adriatic Sea to confront Antony at Actium. Agrippa disrupted Antony's supply lines with the navy while Octavian formed a blockade on the gulf of Ambracia. Malaria and Dysentery slowly thinned Antony's forces and slowly, deserters began to move from Antony's camp to Octavian's

What happened in the September of 31BC?

Antony's forces moved out to confront the enemy. They tried to outflank them, the fighting resulting in grappling. Due to this, Octavian's neat lines broke and through a gap, Cleopatra and her squadron fled. Antony followed suit, deserting his flagship and following close by. The survivors of Antony's fleet negotiated with Octavian and surrender, leaving Antony's reputation in tatters.

What happened in the October of 31BC?

Agrippa was sent to find land for the soldiers and Octavian travelled East, using Antony's old communities of support to get what he needed. On the 1st of October 30BC, Antony committed suicide, Cleopatra remained alive in the hopes of negotiating a deal with Octavian. She begged him to spare Caesarion to which he supposedly replied "Two Caesars are one too many". Caesarion was betrayed by his tutor not long after and is executed as an embarrassment. Cleopatra killed herself. Octavian awarded her and Antony public military funerals and a month after, Octavian is named Pharaoh in Egypt

Describe the obverse and reverse of the Octavian Denarius, 32BC?

Obv. bare head of Octavian \n \n Rev. Pax standing left holding olive branch and cornucopiae

How is the Octavian Denarius, 32BC an example of propaganda?

This coin, used to pay the troops who fought at Actium, used comarketing with the goddess Pax to insinuate that the war was for peace or that the war was fought to protect it. It is also a justification for the war as it relates it to another aspect of the Pantheon. It also suggests that the war will bring a period of prosperity to Rome (the cornucopiae)

How effective is the Octavian Denarius, 32BC as a piece of propaganda?

While the coin reached most of the empire, the troops and the upper-class people would have probably seen the hypocrisy in paying for war with a coin of peace and would also know the ins and outs of the war as they were politically involved. It would, however, have helped to pacify the plebs (who would have felt the effects of the war the hardest)

"while a maddened queen was still plotting

the Capitol's and the empire's ruin" Horace, Odes (1.37 Cleopatra), 31BC

"with her crowd of deeply-corrupted creatures, sick with turpitude, she, violent with hope of all kinds,

and intoxicated, by Fortune's favour" Horace, Odes (1.37 Cleopatra), 31BC

out to capture that

deadly monster, bind her" Horace, Odes (1.37 Cleopatra), 31BC

And she dared to gaze at her fallen kingdom

with a calm face, and touch the poisonous asps with courage" Horace, Odes (1.37 Cleopatra), 31BC

"no ordinary woman, yet queen

no longer, be led along in proud triumph" Horace, Odes (1.37 Cleopatra), 31BC

"Why do you wonder if a woman entwines my life and brings a man enslaved under her rule?

Why fabricate charges of cowardice against my person, because I can't break the yoke and snap my chains?" Propertius, Elegies (3.11 Woman's power)

Why should I seize on heroes, why gods, who stand accused?

Jupiter shames himself and his house" Propertius, Elegies (3.11 Woman's power)

"What was it worth to have shattered Tarquin's axes, whose life branded him with the name of 'Proud', if now we had to endure this woman?

Celebrate a triumph Rome, and saved by Augustus beg long life for him!" Propertius, Elegies (3.11 Woman's power)

"The gods founded them, may the gods protect these walls:

with Caesar alive, Rome scarcely need fear Jove." Propertius, Elegies (3.11 Woman's power)

Apollo of Actium will speak of how the line was turned: one day of battle carried off so great a host.

But you, sailor, whether leaving or making for harbour, be mindful of Caesar through all the Ionian Sea" Propertius, Elegies (3.11 Woman's power)

"Jove's pleasure, shall I delight, With you in Caesar's triumph, drinking Caecuban,

Cellared for festive banquets" Horace Odes (XI A Toast to Actium), 30BC

"Had fled, with his ships destroyed, Having threatened the city with shackles he'd taken,

From those faithless slaves, his friends" Horace Odes (XI A Toast to Actium), 30BC

"A Roman, - you'll not credit it, posterity- Sadly, ups sticks and arms himself, For a woman's sake, and though a soldier, deigns,

To serve the withered eunuchs, While the sun looks down on her shameful pavilion" Horace Odes (XI A Toast to Actium), 30BC

At this sight two thousand Gauls, chanting Caesar,

Turned their snorting steeds aside" Horace Odes (XI A Toast to Actium), 30BC

"Hail, Triumph! Why delay the golden chariots, And the unblemished steers? Hail, Triumph!

In the war with Jugurtha, you never, Returned such a general to us" Horace Odes (XI A Toast to Actium), 30BC

"Let's delight in banishing fear and anxiety,

For Caesar's affairs, with sweet wine" Horace Odes (XI A Toast to Actium), 30BC

"The enemy fleet was doomed by Trojan Quirinus, and the shameful javelins, fit for a woman's hand:

there was Augustus's ship, sails filled by Jupiter's favour" Propertius, Elegies (4.6 The Temple of Palatine Apollo)

"O Augustus, world-deliverer, sprung from Alba Longa, acknowledged as greater than your Trojan ancestors conquer now by sea: the land is already yours: my bow is on your side, and every arrow burdening,

my quiver favours you. Free your country from fear, that relying on you as its protector, weights your prow with the State's prayers." Propertius, Elegies (4.6 The Temple of Palatine Apollo)

"The moment has come, commit your fleet: I declare the moment:

I lead the Julian prows with laurelled hand" Propertius, Elegies (4.6 The Temple of Palatine Apollo)

"after his bowshot,

Caesar's javelin was next" Propertius, Elegies (4.6 The Temple of Palatine Apollo)

Let the Muse fire the mind of drunken poets: Bacchus you are used to being an

inspiration to your Apollo" Propertius, Elegies (4.6 The Temple of Palatine Apollo)

Describe the Aures, 28BC?

Obv. head of Octavian \n \n Rev. Octavian seated on bench holding scroll with scroll box at feet

How is the Aures, 28BC an example of propaganda?

This rare type sets out the Republican-spirited façade of the Principate. The victorious Octavian is posed as toga-clad civilian magistrate proclaiming 'the laws and rights of the people (of Rome) restored'. Politically acceptable authority in the Senate is suggested by the tally of consulships. Yet despite such Republican titulature he is still obviously a monarch with the coinage produced under the stamp of his image (and a personal authority boosted by being the son of a god - the title Divi F\[ilius\] having been used since the deification of Julius in 42 BC)

Describe the Mausoleum of Augustus, 28BC?

When the Mausoleum was completed in 28 BCE, it was easily the biggest tomb in the Roman world, a record it held throughout the Roman period. this once magnificent circular edifice stood around 45 metres high and almost 90 metres in diameter. Within were interred not only the remains of Augustus himself but also other prominent members of the imperial family including his two sons and later emperors such as Tiberius, Nero and Nerva. All white and surrounded by trees. On the top of the dome was a bronze statue of Augustus. The Mausoleum itself was a circular building with a diameter of around 89 meters.

What materials was the mausoleum of Augustus made from?

The building was constructed using concrete and large limestone (travertine) blocks for the core of the structure, tufa rubble as filler material, and white limestone for the facing. The inner concrete walls were arranged in three concentric circles and attached via semicircular buttresses to the external wall for extra support. This complex arrangement meant the four walls were, collectively, an impressive 25 metres thick.

What was attached to the Mausoleum of Augustus?

The Mausoleum had only a single entrance which faced the Field of Mars and gave access via a short corridor to an inner circle corridor which was vaulted. This inner circle wall had two entrances placed side by side which gave access to another circular corridor and the small inner burial chamber, once again circular but with a concrete central column. The interior walls of this chamber had three rectangular recesses for the placement of funerary urns. The central column also had a recess, this time square and probably reserved for an urn containing the ashes of Augustus himself.

What were the architectural influences on the Mausoleum of Augustus?

The building was perhaps influenced by, or Augustus may even have wished to rival, the tombs of those other legendary rulers in antiquity King Mausolos of Caria at Halicarnassus and Alexander the Great in Egypt. The very shape of the structure - a huge mound - also recalls the traditional tombs of the Bronze Age such as those at Troy, from where the Julian family claimed ancestry.

What was the intention of the Mausoleum of Augustus?

The Mausoleum was designed to hold members of this family and those interred within it included Augustus' nephew Marcellus (died 23 BCE), his son-in-law Marcus Agrippa (12 BCE), Drusus the Elder (9 BCE), Augustus' two sons Lucius and Gaius Caesar (2 and 4 CE respectively), and the emperor himself in 14 CE. Then followed a long line of relations and associates including Drusus the Younger,Livia, Tiberius, Agrippina, Nero, Drusus (brother of Caligula), Poppaea, and Nerva.

What was added to the Mausoleum after the death of Augustus?

Two bronze plaques were placed on either side of the Mausoleum entrance. These were inscribed with the emperor's lifetime achievements, his Res Gestae. Around the 4th century CE two red Aswan granite obelisks were erected either side of the entrance. These were later removed, one to stand outside the church of S.Maria Maggiore on the Esquiline and the other to be integrated into the Horse fountain in Piazza del Quirinale.

"Caesar,

our god" Propertius, Elegies (3.4 War and Peace), 20BC

"Go and take care

of Roman history!" Propertius, Elegies (3.4 War and Peace), 20BC

"Postumus, how could you leave Galla crying,

to follow Augustus' brave standard, as a soldier?" Propertius, Elegies (3.12 Chaste and faithful Galla), 20BC

"Caesar acknowledges they are greater than his own,

and delights in being surpassed by him" - Ovid, Celebration of Augustus

"a saviour sent by Jupiter from outside,

a god in the human form of Caesar" Andrew Hadrill

"He had all the powers held by Julius Caesar - in particular the armed forces

all swore allegiance to him as Imperator, Commander-in-chief" - Robin Sowerby

"After my victory, I replaced in the temples in all the cities of the province of Asia the ornaments which my

antagonist in the war, when he despoiled the temples, had appropriated to his private use." Res Gestae

"Twice I earned ovations and three times I celebrated curule triumphs and

I was named imperator twenty-one times." Res Gestae

“I drove them into exile those men who had murdered my father…

I conquered them twice in battle” Res Gestae

“Janus Quirinus, which our ancestors ordered to be closed whenever there was peace, secured by victory…

which, before my birth is recorded to have been closed but twice in all since the foundation of the city, the senate ordered to be closed thrice while I was princeps” Res Gestae

"The military dominance of Caesar Augustus lay beyond question, as he progressively

drew tight his stronghold, not just on military command, but on all the glory of war" - Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

"His triumph was to persuade not only his own side, but much of Antony's,

of the superior justice of his cause" - Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

"At the heart of \[the new Roman mythology\] was the battle by which

Augustus established his dominance over the Roman world" Andrew Wallace Hadrill

"Augustus had, therefore, settled the Roman state and gradually brought

peace, order and security to Rome and her dominions" - Robin Sowerby