Key Terms - Augustus

Question 1

Principate

Answer 1

The new system of government created by Augustus in 27BC, essentially an autocracy framed in the traditions of the Republic

Question 2

Princeps

Answer 2

The name adopted to define Augustus’ role in his new system of government, first used in 27BC

Question 3

Republic

Answer 3

The system of government that had existed in Rome since 509BC

Question 4

Magistrate

Answer 4

An elected official in the Roman Republic and principate

Question 5

Cursus Honorum

Answer 5

The ‘course of offices’, the path through successive magisterial offices that senators followed

Question 6

Senate

Answer 6

The council of ex-magistrates which advised the magistrates and the people

Question 7

Triumph

Answer 7

A public parade of celebration for a successful for a successful military commander who had achieved a notable victory

Question 8

Consul

Answer 8

One of two annually elected senior magistrates, by whose names the Romans dated their years

Question 9

Pax Augusta

Answer 9

‘Augustan Peace’: the concept of the stability and safety that Augustus brought to the Roman world

Question 10

Denarius

Answer 10

A small silver coin worth 4 sestertii

Question 11

Aureus

Answer 11

The highest value coin, made in gold and equivalent to 100 sesterces

Question 12

Auctoritas

Answer 12

‘Influence’, that is the ability of an individual to affect socio-political circumstances without the need for specific official power

Question 13

Potestas

Answer 13

Official political power, typically held by senators occupying positions on the cursus honorum

Question 14

Curia

Answer 14

The assembly house of the Senate

Question 15

Praetorian Guard

Answer 15

The cohorts of soldiers who protected the emperor and who were some of the only troops allowed inside the city itself. They enjoyed preferential treatment compared with the rest of the army

Question 16

Imperium Proconsulare Maius

Answer 16

Literally ‘power greater than that of a proconsul’: power confirmed that Augustus had the ability to overrule any provincial governor

Question 17

Imperium

Answer 17

General Latin term meaning ‘command’, ‘power’, or ‘ability to lead’, frequently then sub-categorised to reflect the roles of specific magistracies

Question 18

Pomerium

Answer 18

The sacred boundary of the city of Rome

Question 19

Tribunicia Potestas

Answer 19

Nominally the power of one of the ten annually elected tribunes, an office created to protect the interests of the people

Question 20

Lustrum

Answer 20

The formal purificatory ritual that officially marked the ending of the census

Question 21

Dictator

Answer 21

Originally a magistrate elected during a time of crisis with supreme authority

Question 22

Pontifex Maximus

Answer 22

Chief Priest in Roman religion, assumed by Augustus in 12BC when the previous incumbent died, as was the tradition

Question 23

Imperial Cult

Answer 23

The worship of the emperor or his family as divine

Question 24

Numen

Answer 24

The divinity of a person

Question 25

Genius

Answer 25

The spirit of a person or place

Question 26

Praetor

Answer 26

One of eight to sixteen magistrates elected annually; mainly responsible for the administration of justice

Question 27

Praefectus urbi

Answer 27

A role created by Augustus to deal with the day-to-day administration of the city of Rome

Question 28

Plebs

Answer 28

Commoners, the ordinary people of Rome

Question 29

Largesse

Answer 29

Great generosity, often lavish gifts of goods or money

Question 30

Congiarium (pl. congiaria)

Answer 30

Money (or tokens exchanged for money) given to the plebs, typically at events such as accessions, imperial birthdays or victories

Question 31

Equestrians

Answer 31

Members of the second rank of the nobility in Rome, for which there was a wealthy qualification. Originally they served as the cavalry of Rome, but eventually took significance as the professional or business class of the Roman world

Question 32

Consilium principis

Answer 32

A council set up by Augustus to prepare the agenda for the senate, comprising of Augustus, the two consuls, and fifteen senators. It was reconstituated every six months

Question 33

Aedile

Answer 33

One of six magistrates elected annually
Responsible for city maintenance, markets, and public games

Question 34

Quaestor

Answer 34

One of twenty magistrates who served as treasurers

Question 35

Legate

Answer 35

A Roman official placed in charge of a province or region on behalf of the emperor, or a deputy to such an official

Question 36

Princeps iuventutis

Answer 36

‘leader of the youth’
A title given to both Gaius and Lucius Caesar by Augustus to indicate their potential as successors

Question 37

As (pl. asses)

Answer 37

Low-denomination coin for everyday expenditure
Equivalent to 1/16 sestercies