Download Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Res Gestae Divi Augusti - an introduction
Written by Augustus himself - virtually the only contemporary account of his time as Emperor.
The historians Tacitus and Suetonius wrote biographies of him but many years after his death.
Augustus may have intended it to be read out in the Senate after his death: in accordance with his
wishes, it was inscribed on pillars outside his mausoleum as a permanent record of what he had
done.
The original text has not survived: the text we have derives from a Latin inscription with an
accompanying Greek paraphrase found in the 16th century on a temple dedicated to Rome and
Augustus.
The tone and style of the Res Gestae has been described factual, down to earth and "dry to the
point of tedium". However, much of it deals with how much money he spent on projects and if it
was designed to be an inscription, it wouldn't be a piece of literature.
The work consists of a long list of personal achievements but it is very impersonal (and selective:
no mention of his failures - the murder of political opponents like Cicero, for example). Augustus
did not intend it to be an autobiography in that sense: he did, in fact, write an account of his own
life up to 25BC but it has not survived.
Why did he write it?
a) As an "elogium" (formal funeral oration)
The language in these speeches, praising a dead statesman, tends to be formal and stereotypical
(like a tombstone inscription).
The Romans were very keen on the idea of "glory" - Augustus probably intended this to be a
lasting record of his glorious achievements. Was he trying to rewrite history to suit his own
purposes?
In Augustus' defence, he had achieved the establishment of peace and stability in the Roman
world. This probably explains why the people were ready to accept the Emperor ( a one-man
ruler) - they were sickened by the civil war which had gone on for so long.
The people got "bread and circuses" (Res Gestae 15, 22). The army got land and salaries. People
in the provinces found new openings for careers in the army and civil service. All of this made
the principate preferable to the unrest, strife and bloodshed of the republic as it fell apart. For
another view, however, see Tacitus:
"(Augustus) seduced the army by gifts, the common people by the provision of cheap food,
and everyone by the blandishments of peace"
(Annals: 1,2)
b) As propaganda
The Res Gestae is not an objective reflection of facts but a justification and explanation of events
since the death of Julius Caesar: Augustus wanted to stress the elements of continuity and
tradition, links between the old system of governments and the new. This meant that he
sometimes had to leave out or disguise facts which did not fit in with his aim. A large section
deals with his victories over non-Roman people (26-33) and this expansion of the Empire was
always popular.
Some commentators disagree that Augustus was being at all deceitful - he was simply compiling
a record of what he had done in the style of an "elogium": he therefore listed his offices, honours
& public services in a dignified and predictable way and the records show that Augustus
surpassed the standards of the great leaders of the past.
It could be argued that Augustus, by considerable skill, is presenting the facts in the best possible
light but sometimes deliberately distorts or misrepresents these facts. He wanted people to see
that his principate was a natural successor to the old Republic but he seems to have been
concerned about the dangers of attempts to restore the Republic: trials for treason began under
Augustus so he obviously needed to stop political opponents. He preferred, after Actium, to show
tact, moderation and persuasion rather than displays of force, to be seen to be putting behind him
the era of civil war.
Compare Augustus with "pius Aeneas" - there are hints in the Res Gestae. The qualities praised
by Virgil, for example, are bravery, clemency, justice and piety (cf. 34)
Res Gestae Divi Augusti
Original title: "The achievements of the divine Augustus, by which he brought the world under the
empire of the Roman people and the expenses which he bore for the state and the people of Rome."
Composed above all for the people of Rome: many acts of generosity to provincial cities are not
included.
Summary of the Res Gestae (35 chapters, most only a few lines long)
1.
At the age of 19, Augustus raised an army "to champion the liberty of the republic".
He was made consul and triumvir
(Augustus acted illegally against Mark Antony in 44 BC, after Caesar's death, and made a pact with
him in 43BC - a fact not mentioned)
2.
Augustus exiled Caesar's murderers and twice defeated them in battle.
(Two battles of Philippi: first one was indecisive and not a success for Augustus. It was only because
command of the army passed from Cassius to Brutus that he won the second)
3.
Augustus involved himself in lots of wars "throughout the world" and "spared the
lives of those who asked for mercy, preferring pardon to extermination" (cf. Aeneid VI: 853).
Many soldiers pledged their allegiance to him and he gave them land and money. (Augustus
does not mention the proscriptions)
4.
He celebrated lots of triumphs and was hailed as imperator 21 times. The Senate
ordered thanksgiving to the gods should be offered for Augustus' successes on 55 occasions.
(890 days of thanksgiving were given). He was consul 13 times.
5.
Augustus was offered dictatorship by both Senate and the people but refused. He
ensured a good corn supply at his own expense. He was offered the consulship for life but
declined.
6.
The Senate and the people suggested that he be appointed "supervisor of law and
morals" with supreme power but he would not accept any office "inconsistent with the
custom of our ancestors".
(The historian Suetonius contradicts this but he may be wrong. There was felt to be a moral decline in
the last years of the republic due to greed, luxury and immorality. (cf. Horace Odes III: 6, 24).
Augustus passed laws punishing adultery, penalising those who were not married and giving
privileges to those who had three or more children)
7.
Augustus lists his titles, mainly to do with priestly colleges.
8.
He increased the number of patricians (aristocracy). The Senate roll was revised & a
census carried out. He brought back practices of the ancestors of Rome which were in danger
of dying out.
9.
The Senate ordered vows to be taken every 5 years for Augustus' health. Prayers were
continuously offered in the cities.
10.
Augustus' name was inserted into the hymn of the Salii.
(This hymn was originally designed to ensure the safety of Rome in war so the inclusion of his name
seems to suggest that his safety and that of Rome were bound up - putting him on a par with the
gods).
11.
An altar was put up in honour of Augustus' return from Syria and a sacrifice made
there every year by the Vestal Virgins.
12.
Important people were sent to Campania to meet Augustus (unprecedented honour).
After his return from Gaul in 13 BC, the Senate ordered an altar of the Augustan peace to be
put up.
13.
The gate of the temple of Janus had only been closed twice in Rome's history
up until the time of Augustus' birth but during his principate, the Senate ordered it to be closed three
times.
(The closing of the gate signified that Rome was at peace)
14.
Augustus' sons were made consuls at the age of 14.
15.
Augustus gave large sums of money on several occasions to the plebs of Rome and to
his soldiers.
16.
He gave money to towns in return for the land given to his soldiers and money to the
soldiers themselves.
17.
Augustus gave his own money to the treasury.
18.
He distributed grain and money, when the taxes were insufficient.
19.
Augustus built the Senate house, the Lupercal, a box at the Circus Maximus, and
temples to Apollo, divine Julius, Jupiter Feretrius, Jupiter the Thunderer, Quirinius, Minerva,
Juno, Jupiter Libertas, the Lares, di penates, of Youth and the Great Mother.
20.
Restored the Capitol & theatre of Pompey and aqueducts, the Forum Julium and
basilicas. He restored 82 temples in the city, and most bridges. (cf. Horace Odes III: 6)
21.
Built temple of Mars the Avenger, the Forum Augustum and the theatre of Marcellus
(his son-in-law). He gave lots of gifts to the temples.
22.
Gave gladiatorial shows and beast hunts.
23.
Gave a naval battle show - 3000+ men fought in it (2BC)
24.
He replaced the ornaments which had been stolen from temples in Asia (by Mark
Antony). He removed silver statues of himself in Rome: with the money they realised, he put
golden offerings in the temple of Apollo.
25.
Augustus rid the sea of pirates: he recaptured 30,000 escaped slaves and returned
them to their masters.
(This refers to Augustus' victory against Sextus Pompey whose ships were manned by slaves:
Augustus actually had 6000 of them crucified)
26.
Augustus extended the Roman empire (cf. Aeneid I: 276-296) and brought peace to
Spain and Gaul.
(He mentions lots of places - he was a great conqueror)
27.
Egypt was brought into the Roman empire and he recaptured all the provinces east of
the Adriatic sea (these had previously been assigned to M. Antony in 40 BC)
28.
He founded colonies of soldiers in various places.
29.
He recovered lost standards from Spain, Gaul and Dalmatia and placed them in the
temple of Mars the Avenger.
30.
He conquered various peoples and annexed their territory to Rome.
31.
Embassies seeking friendship were sent to Augustus from people with no previous
connection with the Romans (eg. India, Albania)
(Augustus wants to stress the uniqueness of his achievements)
32.
More kings sought friendship.
33.
Ambassadors were sent from the Parthians and the Medes.
34.
After the civil wars (28-7BC), " when I was in complete control of affairs", Augustus
transferred the republic from his power to the power of the Senate and the people. He was
named Augustus and bay leaves and the civic crown were fixed over the door of his house
because of his "courage, clemency, justice and piety".
(The civic crown was awarded for saving the life of a fellow citizen: Augustus was seen as saving all
the citizens)
35.
He was given the title of "Father of my country". At the time of writing, Augustus is
75 years old.