Ancient History > Augustus > Flashcards

Augustus Flashcards

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1
Q

When did Augustus reign from

A

27BC-14AD

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2
Q

What did Octavian Change his name to in 27bc?

A

Augustus

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3
Q

What title did Augustus take in 27bc?

A

Princeps

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4
Q

Why was the battle of Actium described as anti-climactic? and when was it

A

Antony and Cleopatra were not defeated but instead fled
31BC

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5
Q

How did Augustus exploit the battle of Actium?

A

Using it as a big part of his propaganda

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6
Q

What was the Res Gestae?

A

Augustus’ catalogue of his achievements

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7
Q

How do we know Augustus’ propaganda was successful?

A

He had little to no opposition to his rule

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8
Q

Why was Augustus’ triple triumph unusual?

A

Triumphs were usually only for one victory

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9
Q

Which Victories was Augustus celebrating in his triple triumph?

A

Dalmatia, Actium, Alexandria

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10
Q

What was the Pax Augusta?

A

Augustan Peace
Roman’s divine belief that the god’s gave them the purpose of bringing peace to the world

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11
Q

Why are the doors to the temple of Janus important?

A

They were only closed during peacetime and were closed three times during Augustus’ reign, before that they had only ever been closed twice
VP 2.89.3
“20 years if civil strife were ended”

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12
Q

What is Autocritas?

A

Social and Political influence

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13
Q

What is Postestas? Which positions on the cursus honorum hold it?

A

Power of the magistrates, quaestors and aediles

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14
Q

Why is it important Augustus curates a balance between Autocritas and Potestas?

A

Because the Romans didn’t want power in the hands of one man

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15
Q

How does Augustus achieve the balance between Autocritas and Potestas?

A

He gives up all his powers (potestas) and only accepts those given to him by the senate (of which he has autocritas over) which means all his powers are given by the government and people of Rome

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16
Q

What was the first constitutional settlement in 27bc?

A

Grants and honours given to Augustus that accept and acknowledge his supremacy
- his doorposts could be decorated with victory laurels
- he was given the civic crown
- the award and display of the shield of virtue
- the recognition of his autocritas and capability
- officially giving him the title princeps and name Augustus
- Ability to control the provinces with the military presence in them and areas that still needed pacification
- permanently allowed to hold one of the consular positions
- control of public funds

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17
Q

How long did the first constitutional settlement last?

A

10 years

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18
Q

Why was their a need for the second constitutional settlement in 23bc?

A

The Senate did not like Augustus permanently holding a consulship as they could only compete for one high office

Augustus seemed to be attempting to set up a succession but was failing (he had married his nephew Marcellus to his daughter Julia, but Marcellus died of Illness in 23bc. Augustus was also critically ill in 23bc)

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19
Q

What were the powers given to Augustus under the Second constitutional settlement?

A

Imperium Proconsulare Maius (it re-affirmed him as head of the Roman army, it meant could still hold power over the army when inside the pomerian and as it was constitutional it could be inherited)
- Tribunicia Potestas (power of the tribunes, ability to call the senate and propose laws, ability to veto legislation)
- Augustus no longer held one of the consular posts permanently

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20
Q

Why is the second constitutional settlement important?

A

It gets rid of the senate’s issues with the first settlement but gave Augustus a power above the Senators that was constitutional and could be given to successors

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21
Q

Who were Augustus’ right hand men?

A

Agrippa (his general) and Maecenas (his advisor and diplomatic contact)

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22
Q

How is Julia the elder described by sources?

A

A wild card, kind, intelligent, quick-witted, hedonistic

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23
Q

Who was Julia the Elder’s mother?

A

Scribonia

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24
Q

What was Julia the elder’s upbringing like?

A

She grew up under Livia (her step-mother), she was raised in luxury and developed a love of literature and culture, her life was strict and sheltered

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25
Why was Augustus so Strict about Julia the Elder's upbringing?
She was an extension of him and the principate, he was in a precarious position and needed his family to seem like the paragon of Roman values
26
Who was Julia the Elder initially betrothed to at the age of two?
Mark Antony's ten year old son
27
Who was Julia the elder's first husband?
Marcellus
28
Why was Julia the Elder married to Marcellus?
It was highly likely Augustus was preparing him as a successor
29
What happened two years into Julia the Elder's marriage to Marcellus?
died without having had any children with her
30
Who was Julia the elder's second husband?
Agrippa
31
How many children did Julia have with Agrippa and what were their names?
5; Gaius Caesar, Julia the younger, Lucius Caesar, Agrippina the elder, Agrippa postumus
32
Who were Julia the elder's frequent paramours?
Sempronius Gracchus and Iullus Antonius
33
Who did Julia the elder supposedly lust after?
Tiberius
34
What happened to Julia the elder in Ilium?
What happened to Julia the elder in Ilium? She almost drowned, Agrippa tried to heavily fine the town for it before being convinced not to by a friend
35
How did Agrippa die
illness
36
Who was Julia the elder's third husband?
Tiberius
37
Why did Julia the elder's marriage to Tiberius fail?
Tiberius had been forced to divorce his first wife Vispania whom he loved deeply Tiberius disliked Julia's promiscuity Julia had not yet finished mourning Agrippa Julia considered Tiberius beneath her
38
What was the breaking point in Julia the elder's marriage to Tiberius?
lost their only child
39
What happened after Julia the elder lost her child with Tiberius?
She descended into depravity and started having drinking parties in the Roman Forum
40
Why was Julia the elder exiled?
She official reason was her public depravity and she was accused of a plot against Augustus
41
Where was Julia the elder exiled to?
Pandataria
42
What was Julia the elder denied in exile?
Wine and Male company
43
What happened five years into Julia the elders exile
She was allowed to move to mainland Italy (due to Augustus being pressured by the people to allow her to do so) but was still considered in exile
44
What happened after the death of Augustus
Tiberius ascended Agrippa postumus was killed (possibly on Tiberius' orders
45
How did Julia the elder die?
Tiberius refused to provide for her so she ended up dying of destitution and starvation
46
Who was Julia the younger
Daughter of Agrippa and Julia the elder
47
Who was Julia the younger's husband?
Lucius Aemilius Paullus
48
Who raised Julia the younger?
Augustus and Livia
49
How many children did Julia the younger have?
1 confirmed child (Aemilia Lepida) and a possible son (Marcus Aemilius Lepidus)
50
What event does Suetonius use as a sign of Julia the younger's early excess?
She built a large and sumptuous country house, Augustus was so disgusted by its grandeur that he had it knocked down.
51
Why was Julia the younger exiled?
For having an affair with Decimus Junius Silanus
52
Where was Julia the younger exiled?
Tremirus
53
What happened to Julia the younger in exile?
She gave birth to a child that Augustus had exposed due to its questionable legitimacy
54
What happened to Julia the younger's husband?
He was executed for conspiracy in a revolt (some historians believe involvement in this revolt was the actual reason for Julia's exile and the affair was a cover-up to save her reputation)
55
What happened in 29bc?
Julia the younger died in exile
56
What did Augustus state about the two Julia's in his will?
Neither of them were allowed to be buried in the family Mausoleum or anywhere in Rome
57
What was a big theme of Augustus' propaganda?
He was a saviour of a Corrupt and decadent Rome
58
How did Augustus make his political changes palatable?
by disguising them as revitalised versions of old laws and traditions
59
What two laws does Augustus pass?
The 'Julian law on the duties of husbands' and 'the Julian law on constraining adultery' together known as his moral reforms in 18/17BC
60
How did Augustus pass his moral reforms?
Using his tribunician power detailed in Suetonius Augustus 24
61
When were Augustus' moral reforms passed?
18BC
62
What were the Augustan Lustra?
a collection of three census' Augustus did of the Roman people that proved Rome was progressing under his rule
63
What was the negative effect of the moral laws?
They made Augustus less popular with the senatorial an equestrian classes
64
What example does Vellius Paterculus use to prove Augustus did not want absolute power?
he repeatedly refused to be dictator
65
When did Augustus become Pontifex Maximus?
12BC
66
What did Augustus do as Pontifex Maximus?
Destroyed 2,000 verses of prophecy and edited the Sibylline books (Rome's most sacred books of prophecy guarded by the quindicemviri)
67
How many priesthoods did Augustus hold?
7 simultaneously
68
What did the Romans believe had caused the civil war and how did Augustus use this to his advantage?
Abandonment by the gods, he could claim that his success was a sign that the gods supported him
69
How many shrines does Augustus claim to have restored in the Res Gestae?
82BC
70
Why did the provinces in the east want to worship Augustus?
Before being provinces they had worshipped their kings as gods
71
What was Augustus' reason for letting the provinces worship him?
To respect their long established traditions
72
What is a numen?
A persons divine aspect
73
What is a genius?
A persons spirit
74
How did Augustus get away with being worshipped in the west?
He only had people worship his numen and genius, allowing him to claim that he was not being worshipped, just his spirit and divinity (which everyone was thought to have)
75
Who presided over the worship of Augustan Lares?
A group of priests chosen from freedmen of Senators
76
What major accomplishments does Suetonius claim Augustus did?
Built temples of Mars, Apollo and Jupiter in Rome Built new forums Built the colonnade and basilica of Gaius and Lucius Built the colonnades of Octavia and Livia Built the theatre of Marcellus Encourages others to take up building projects
77
What was Augustus's attitude to having temples dedicated to him in or outside Rome, give an example of his piety?
He didn't want any temples built to him He melted down silver statues of him and used the money from them to buy gifts for Apollo's temple
78
In what ways was Augustus worshipped in the Empire?
His numen and genius had temples and altars He was given honours and inscryptions He was put on coins with religious imagery
79
How many districts did Augustus split Rome into?
14 Suetonius Augustus 30 "divided the city into wards and dsitricts"
80
How were the districts of Rome controlled?
By magistrates annually chosen by lot districts were subdivided into wards
81
What did Augustus introduce to Rome?
A fire brigade
82
What changes did Augustus make to the Senate?
Limited the number of Senators Banned publications of the proceedings of the Senate Created new offices for the upkeep of buildings, roads and aqueducts, grain distribution and city prefects
83
How did the principate help the people of Rome
Allowed them to directly appeal to the head of the state
84
What were three reasons for Augustus' building program?
provide for the people promote the empire promote the principate
85
What was Augustus' main aim with his building program?
To make Rome a worthy capital for the empire
86
How did Augustus' building program honour the past?
He didn't put his name on old buildings he restored
87
Who other than Augustus heavily contributed to the building program?
Agrippa Tiberius
88
Why are the aqueducts important?
They provided Rome with fresh water
89
Where did Augustus get his idea for his building program from?
Julius Caesar
90
How did Augustus' building program improve Rome?
allowed for drainage helped prevent the constant overflow of the Tiber doubled the water supply made Rome look nice allowed more places for storage
91
How did Augustus divide the empire?
He got a ten year commission, of Spain, Gaul and Syria with pro-consular imperium In 23bc his imperium was recognised as superior to all others (maius imperium) He controlled all armed provinces and any newly acquired territory
92
What were Augustus' changes to provincial administration
He made a more equitable tax system based on the census He took greater care in the selection of governors He gave greater responsibility to local communities He introduced new types of taxation: tributum soli (land and fixed property), tributum capitis (poll tax) and portoria (import tax) as well as death duties He had the ability to choose governors
93
What were Augustus' changes to the provincial's salaries?
Governors got annual grants to cover expenses governors had a fixed salary and travel allowances governors got experienced assistance
94
What were Augustus' changes to administratory communication?
An imperial courier service was introduced Augustus was given frequent provincial reports
95
What were the jobs of Imperial Pro-curators?
They acted as Augustus' spies in the provinces and could move between them as they were independent from governors
96
What were the roles of the Provincial councils and who was in them?
They conducted the worship of Rome and Augustus They elected high priests and conducted sacrifices and games They ran overall maintenance They were made up of representatives of major communities
97
Why was Egypt ran differently to the other provinces and why?
It was regarded as Augustus' personal property No senators or influential equites were allowed to enter without Augustus' explicit permission It had no self-governing communities It Had to meet a grain quota each year Because it could cause a food shortage in Rome Tac Annals 2.59 "augustus had forbidden senators.. To enter Egypt without his express permission"
98
What is congariarum?
Exchanged for money) given to the plebs, typically at events such as accessions, imperial birthdays or victories
99
What is the Consilium principis?
A council set up by Augustus to prepare the agenda for the senate. It included Augustus, two consuls and fifteen senators. It was re-constituted every 6 months
100
Why is it difficult to know much about the plebs?
All our sources were written by upperclass men
101
Why does Augustus know that the mob is important?
They ran the conspirators of Rome
102
What did Augustus use to ensure loyalty of the plebs?
entertainment largesse
103
How do we know Augustus was successful in gaining the support of the plebs?
Public monuments and inscryptions Riots when he wasn't consul and demands for him to be dictator
104
How did the equestrians flourish under Augustus?
He made them a distinct political group
105
How did Augustus reinforce his supremacy over the Senate?
Gave money to individual senators lower ranks of cursus honourum expanded to accommodate more senators Senate purges Banning senators from the province of Egypt Created the concilium principis 5% inheritance tax on senators required to aid him for success
106
What were the four conspiracies against Augustus?
- Caepio and Murena - 23BC Dio 54.3 - Salvidenius Rufus and Gallus - 26BC Dio 55.14 - Lucius Cinna - 16BC Dio 55 - Egnatius Rufus - 19BC
107
What was the Caepio and Murena conspiracy?
The conspiracy also involved the husband of Julia the younger and possibly her. Slaves helped attempted to help Caepio escape capture by smuggling him across the Tiber in a chest but was caught
108
What was the conspiracy of Salvidenius Rufus and Gallus?
They were friends of Augustus whom he promoted to consul and governor of Egypt. After the plot Salvidenius was sentenced to death, Gallus committed suicide when prosecuted. Augustus thanked the Senate but complained he could never have simple disagreements with his friends
109
What were the details of the conspiracy of Lucius Cinna?
Cinna was the leader of the conspiracy. He had a spotless reputation until the conspiracy so Augustus set up a meeting with his friends to decide what to do with him. Livia convinced Augustus to show mercy as Cinna was a grandson of Pompey and killing previous conspirators didn't work to stop more. He was arrested and Augustus then spoke to him, giving him a pardon and a Consulship. As thanks, Cinna made Augustus his sole heir in his will
110
What was the conspiracy of Egnatius Rufus?
After the conspiracy was found out, the Senate passed an SCU against him and he was executed. Before the conspiracy he was a popular Aedile as he made his slaves into a free fire brigade and had been elected praetor before his conspiracy came out
111
What was the conspiracy of Marcus Lepidus?
Son of the triumvir Marcus Lepidus Had an intent to assassinate augustus when he got home from the civil war. Maecenas discovered itand arrested him, he later "paid the penalty" for it (one can assume death) His wife committed suicide after
112
What were the plots against Augustus from plebs?
Ausadius and Epicadus, who wanted to rescue Julia the elder and Agrippa postumus from exile to present to the legions. Telephus, a slave who thought he was destined to become emperor and planned an armed attack on the senate and Augustus. An unamed Illyrian camp orderly who was caught near Augustus bedroom with a hunting knife and was possibly insane
113
Who were the successors of Augustus?
Marcellus Agrippa Lucius and Gaius Tiberius
114
How did Augustus show who he wanted to be successor?
Adopting them Marrying them to his daughter Giving them tribunician power
115
Where did tiberius self-exile and for how long?
For seven years in Rhodes
116
Why does Augustus keep having to name new successors?
The previous ones all die
117
Who was suspected of killing off Augustus' heirs and why?
Livia, she wanted her son Tiberius to be emperor
118
How does Augustus ensure Tiberius succesion?
He makes him adopt his nephew Germanicus
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