Download Octavian Becomes the First Emperor or Rome: Caesar Augustus

The Age of Augustus
How many figures can claim to have shaped an historical era and to have given
it their own name? Augustus (Octavian) was the Great Architect of a new political system
and of a new era in Roman History, often called the "Age of Empire” or the “ Age of Peace” (Pax
Roman). He lived from 63 BCE - 14 CE, with 44 years in power (30 BCE - 14 CE).
After Caesar’s Assassination
Rome is embroiled in civil war as the supporters of Caesar, namely Octavian (Caesar’s adopted
son) and Marc Antony attempt to avenge his death. Romans are fighting Romans. Generals and
their legions are pitted against each other and the Roman Senate is at a loss as to how to deal
with this crisis. A falling out between Antony and Octavian comes to a head at the Battle of
Actium (off the coast of Greece) in the year 31 BCE, where the forces of Marc Antony and
Cleopatra were defeated. Stability needed to be returned to Rome and the Senate would rather
give power to one many than see the continuation of Roman civil war.
Octavian Becomes the First Emperor or Rome: Caesar Augustus
Octavian had two choices after the Battle of Actium and he had to act quickly:
1. He could go back to Rome and re-establish the Republic.
2. He could go back and establish himself immediately as dictator.
BUT, most importantly, he needed to maintain stability without offending the dignity of the
Romans or the Senate. So he did BOTH. He maintained his immense power but within a
humble façade of the Republic. He never called himself emperor or dictator, but he was in
complete power by holding successive consulships.
“He had a monarchy in all but name, an autocracy within a “Republican skin”
At a famous Senate meeting, January 27 BCE, he was proclaimed "Augustus". He rejected the
name of Romulus, with its direct connotation of monarchy. Instead he took the title of Princeps
meaning "chief senator and citizen," or “the first among equals”. He refused lifelong consulship
to maintain (appearance of) humility. Augustus created a partnership with the Senate.
Rule and Reforms of Augustus
Augustus had to figure out how he was going to make his own power permanent without
alienating the elite or weakening Rome. He set out to make the transition smooth by honoring
Republican traditions. Most importantly, Augustus checked opposition from the Senate by
reducing their number from over 1000 to 600.
Reading Assignment:
Questions :
1. Account for Augustus’ success in bringing stability back to Rome (Pax Romana)
2. In your opinion, which 3 of Augustus’ reforms were the most important and why.
Brief Overview:
http://suite101.com/a/reforms-of-emperor-augustus-in-ancient-rome-a96106
More Detailed Overview and Analysis of the Reign of Augustus by Professor Skip Knox (read
sections 1-14)
http://europeanhistory.boisestate.edu/westciv/julio-cl/
Primary Sources: Res Gestae Divi Augusti, (Latin: "The Deeds of the Divine Augustus") is the
funerary inscription of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, giving a first-person record of his life
and accomplishments. The Res Gestae is especially significant because it gives an insight into
the image Augustus portrayed to the Roman people. Various inscriptions of the Res Gestae
have been found scattered across the former Roman Empire but the original is lost.
“Janus Quirinus, which our ancestors ordered to be closed whenever there was peace, secured
by victory, throughout the whole domain of the Roman people on land and sea, and which,
before my birth is recorded to have been closed but twice in all since the foundation of the city,
the senate ordered to be closed thrice while I was princeps. “
~
Augustus Res Gestae
The city, which was not built in a manner suitable to the grandeur of the empire, and was liable
to inundation of the Tiber, as well as to fires, was so much improved under his administration,
that he boasted, not without reason, that he found it of brick, but left it of marble. He also
rendered it secure for the time to come against such disasters, as far as could be effected by
human foresight. ~ Suetonius Life of Augustus