SUETONIUS: Life of Augustus Flashcards
(18 cards)
When was it written?
AD 121
What is it’s significance?
Biographical account of Augustus’ life
What does Suetonius’ work show us?
- His own version of Augustus
- It gives us an understanding of how Augustus’ public image had changed in the century between his death and when Suetonius was writing
What does Suetonius say when discussing Augustus’ time as Princeps, and why is this significant?
- He says he ‘ruled the state’
- This shows that Suetonius believed Augustus played the role of a king or an emperor
Events in the life of Augustus that show bad morals?
His daughter and grandaughter, being corrupted by every kind of vice
As a youth he was reproached with various sexual improprieties
Mark Antony accused him of unnatural relations with JC
Not even his friends denied he was given to adulterous behaviour
Augustus was reproached too for his love of expensive furniture… as well as his fondness for gambling
Events in life of Augustus that show untraditional or unfair power?
He recived offices and honours, some before the usual age, and some newly created and for life
Rumours spread that Augustus had engineered the fate of both Hirtius and Pansa
Events in life of Augustus that portray him in a negative way?
He fought in five civil conflicts
He hired assassins to murder Antony… Fearing retaliation when the plot was discovered
Augustus had Caesarion killed too
He gathered together all the Greek and Latin prophecies… and burned more than two thousand
Events that show Augustus’ fairness?
Vetoed a law that would have suppressed freedom of speech in the text of a will
When he testified in court, he submitted patiently to questioning and even to being contradicted
He wished his friends too to be prominent and influential in public affairs, but insisted they be subject to the common law
His morning receptions were open to all, including commoners
Events that show Augustus’ mercy?
He allowed both Antony and Cleopatra an honourable burial in the one tomb
He did spare the rest of Cleopatra’s children by Antony, and brought them up… as diligently as if they had been members of his own family
Events that show Augustus’ kindness and sense of duty?
In the midst of fighting he shouldered the eagle of the legion, its bearer being wounded
His new forum, was narrower than he originally intended, because he did not feel it right to evict the owners of neighbouring houses which were in his way
A senator with whom he was only slightly acquainted suddenly became blind and resolved to starve to death, Augustus visited to console him and by doing persuaded him to change his mind
Events that show Augustus’ piety?
He ordained that the Lares of the Crossroads should be crowned twice a year
The title Augustus was granted him… because sacred sites and anything consecrated by the augurs are called augusta
Augusuts would declare an oath that if any of his grand-daughters had been of eligible age he would have proposed them [Vestal Virgin]
He revived various ancient rites which had lapsed with time
Events that show Augustus’ connection to the Gods?
A halo formed around the sun’s disc as he entered the city
As he was taking the auspices, twelve vultures were seen, the same sign that appeared to Romulus
Events that show Augustus’ connection to JC?
He adopted the name Gaius Caesar to comply with his great-uncle JC’s will
At twelve he delivered a funeral oration in honour of his grandmother Julia, JC’s sister
At sixteen, he was decorated by Caesar
Augustus considered it his duty to avenge Caesar’s death and enforce his decrees
He also restored the calendar, reformed by Julius Caesar
Events which show Augustus’ dedication to Rome?
The security of the state might be jeopardised, if authority were divided
Rome’s architecture was inadequate to the demands of empire… he so adorned it that he could rightly boast that what he had found as brick he left as marble
Events which show Augustus’ good connection with his family?
He never nominated his adopted sons for office without saying ‘if they are worthy’
Some public works he named on behalf of relatives
He brought up his daughter and grand-daughters strictly
Events which show Augustus’ bad connection with his family?
His daughter and granddaughter, being corrupted by every kind of vice, he banished
He refused to acknowledge or rear his grandaughter Julia the Younger’s child
Events which show Augustus’ untraditional powers?
He received offices and honours himself, some before the usual age, and some newly created and for life
Rumours spread that Augustus had engineered the fate of both Hirtius and Pansa
He seized the consulship at nineteen, marching against Rome as the city were his enemy
Events which show Augustus as being traditional?
Augustus waited until the triumvir’s death to assume the office
He was always horrified at being called ‘my lord’
