Study Notes on The Achievements of the Divine Augustus

The Achievements of the Divine Augustus

Introduction

  • The excerpts are taken from The Achievements of the Divine Augustus, an official account composed by Augustus to summarize his career.
  • This document was meant for public display throughout Rome and the Empire and was authored at the end of Augustus' life.
  • The account emphasizes significant achievements and positions while intentionally omitting certain details.

Early Military Actions and Political Ascendancy

  1. Age of Ascendancy

    • At 19 years of age, Augustus gathered an army under his own direction and at his own expense.
    • He liberated the Republic from tyranny, specifically from an oppressive clique.
    • Achievement recognized in the consulship of Pansa and Hirtius (43 B.C.E.):
      • Senate admitted him to its membership with laudatory decrees.
      • Granted consular position for participation in Senate debates.
      • Received imperium (command authority).
      • Appointed as propractor alongside the consuls to protect the Republic.
    • After the deaths of both consuls in war, the people elected him as consul and Triumvir for Restoring the Republic.

  2. Revenge for Father's Assassination

    • Augustus targeted those who murdered his father, Julius Caesar:
      • Drove them into exile, punishing their crimes through court judgments.
      • Defeated them in battle when they waged war against the Republic.

Military Campaigns and Decrees

  1. Civil and Foreign Wars

    • Fought civil wars on land and sea, as well as foreign wars around the world.
    • Noteworthy for sparing the lives of Roman citizens who sought pardon.
    • Preferred to preserve rather than destroy foreign nations if safe to do so.
    • Commanded around 500,000 Roman citizens.

  2. Triumphs and Honors

    • Celebrated 2 minor triumphs and 3 major triumphs.
    • Hailed as imperator 21 times.
    • Senate decreed more triumphs, which he refused.
    • In triumphs, led 9 kings or children of kings before his chariot.
    • Held the consulship 13 times and was in the 37th year of tribune power at the time of writing.

  3. Refusal of Dictatorship and Supreme Power

    • During the consulship of Marcellus and Arruntius (22 B.C.E.), Augustus refused the offer of dictatorship from both the Senate and the People.
    • Also declined the lifetime consulship offered to him.
    • Throughout subsequent consulships (Vinicius and Lucretius in 19 B.C.E., Lentulus in 18 B.C.E., and Fabius and Tubero in 1 B.C.E.), he rejected positions contrary to the customs of the ancestors.
    • Performed Senate duties under his tribune power, requesting and receiving a colleague five times for this position.

Long-term Roles and Contributions

  1. Long Tenure in Public Office

    • Served as a Triumvir for 10 consecutive years.
    • Held the title of First Man (Princeps) of the Senate for 40 years.
    • Maintained the role of Pontifex Maximus (the chief priest).

  2. Legislative Actions

    • Proposed and enacted new laws, restoring many exemplary customs of ancestors that had become obsolete.
    • Passed on these customs as exemplary for future generations.

  3. Legal Protections and Responsibilities

    • Senate decreed, in 23 B.C.E., that Augustus should have tribune power ensuring his inviolability for life and beyond.
    • Initially declined the position of Pontifex Maximus during a colleague’s life, despite public offers.
    • Accepted the role after the death of Lepidus (in consulship of Lucretius and Vinicius, 12 B.C.E.).
    • Remarkable turnout for election indicated as unprecedented.

  4. Peace and Military Finance

    • Closed the temple of Janus Quirinus, representing peace through military victory, closed only three times during his tenure.
    • Financial Contributions to the Treasury:
      • Aided the Treasury with 150 million sesterces of his own funds.
      • Transferred 170 million sesterces from his inheritance to the Military Treasury for veterans after 20 years of service.

  5. Recognition and Titles

    • In his sixth and seventh consulships (28 and 27 B.C.E.), after ending civil war, Augustus transferred power from himself to the Senate and Roman People, receiving the title Augustus as a result.
    • Claimed that despite surpassing all in influence (auctoritas), he had no more legal power (potestas) than his colleagues.
    • Named Father of my Country by the Senate, Equestrian Order, and Roman People during his thirteenth consulship, with the title publicly inscribed on significant venues.
    • Recorded age at 75 years old at the time of composing this account (after September 23, 13 C.E.).