Augustus

Question 1

Immediate aftermath of Actium

Answer 1

Octavian pursued Antony and Cleopatra to Egypt where they committed suicide

Question 2

27 BC First Settlement

Answer 2

Octavian proclaimed Augustus - ‘restores republic’

Augustus restores consular elections and power to traditional magistracies

Question 3

23 BC Second Settlement

Answer 3

Renounces consulship
Receives potestas tribunicia for life
Maius imperium proconsulare

Question 4

28 BC

Answer 4

Restoration of 82 temples in the city

Begins the construction of his mausoleum, dedication to the temple of Apollo

Question 5

Problem with Auctoritas (authority)

Answer 5

Settlement of 27 is a personal Settlement

When Augustus dies, it dies with him

Question 6

Reasons for the constitutional Settlement of 23

Answer 6

Conspiracy of Varro Murena and Fannius Caepio?

Illness and possibility of death? Long term thinking?

Question 7

Results of the constitutional settlement of 23

Answer 7

Proconsular imperium retained; granted for a limited time but renewed
Granted tribunician power for life which gives him the right to legislate in the assembly; to summon the senate and propose motions; to veto; help citizens oppressed by magistrates

Question 8

Forum of Augustus and Temple of Mars Ultor

Answer 8

Augustus vowed to build a temple to Mars after revenging the death of Caesar at Philippi in 42 bc
Forum created new space for law courts while the temple offers starting point for generals setting off for war.

Question 9

The jigsaw’s final pieces

Answer 9

Dio 54.10 ‘consulate for life’’’
12 bc - becomes pontifex maximums
2 bc - ‘pater patriae’

Question 10

Cassius Dio 53.1-2

Answer 10

28 BC - shares fasces with Agrippa
Issues decree rescinding the ‘illegal’ act of triumvirs
Takes oath to leave office at the end of the year
Conforms to ‘all other ancient customs’

Question 11

Maius imperium Proconsulare

Answer 11

Power of consul without being one
Power extended inside the pomerium
Kept quite - never in propaganda

Question 12

Tribunicia Potestas

Answer 12

Tribune power without being one
Veto anything
Summon senate if desired

Question 13

So whats the difference?

Answer 13

Transition from charismatic to bureaucratic rule
Settlement of 23 is not personal - authority embedded in legal powers
These can and will be passed on
The ‘principate’ as a system has arrived

Question 14

Outcome

Answer 14

Suet. Aug. 28 - Octavian thought twice about restoring the republic but decided against it
Tac. Annals. 1.1 - exhausted as it was by civil war, under his power, taking the title princeps