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Ancient History
RoSA Work Sample Bailey
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Year 11 Ancient History student work sample – Grade B
How is the person Augustus Caesar historically significant?
Augustus Caesar’s significance is grounded in the fact that he is remembered as the founder of the
Roman principate. Confronted by the disorder of the previous government Augustus dealt with this
instability and his rule from 27BC until his death in 14AD oversaw time of prosperity and growth for
Rome. Following a time of much civil unrest, Augustus managed to achieve the Pax Romana (Roman
Peace) throughout the Principate. In response to the assassination of Julius Caesar, Augustus partook
in the political reconstruction of Rome including the establishment of the principate. Augustus undertook
the endeavour of Roman expansion throughout his rule, seizing the resources of wealthy regions and
absorbing them into his empire. With these additional resources Augustus was able to address the
issues of destruction during the civil war by funding several building projects.
The introduction displays
a thorough synthesis
and organisation of
ideas. The use of
specific facts shows
contextual
understanding and depth
of knowledge
Augustus achieved the Pax Romana throughout the Roman principate. The achievement of the Pax
Romana is partly due to Augustus’s ability to placate. Augustus himself described the extent of the
peace he had achieved ‘with no unjust war waged against any nation (Augustus). The victory of
Augustus at the Battle of Actium is considered by many to be the turning point of his career as well as
the turning point for Rome. A time of civil unrest was ended and under Augustus’s rule Rome was led
into a time of peace and prosperity. Increased security allowed for much growth and progress within
Rome. The prosperity of Rome under the rule of Augustus emphasizes the significance of the Pax
Romana
Thorough analysis and
integration of ideas is
demonstrated in the
discussion of the ‘Pax
Romana’. The timeline
of events leading from
the Battle of Actium is
effective
Augustus made significant political reforms that were in favour of both himself and the entirety of
Rome. Subsequent to the assassination of Julius Caesar and a period of civil war, Augustus came
into power at a time when Rome’s political system was inefficient and maintaining order and
suppressing the threat of the ambitious military generals and their legions. Authority, rights and
honour were restored to the laws, the courts and to the senate. Arguably Augustus’s most significant
political reform was the conversion of the Roman Republic to the principate. In doing so Augustus
ensured himself supreme power over Rome; however he was careful not to appear to have dictatorial
power for his own benefit. ‘When the dictatorship was offered to me, both in my presence and in my
absence, by people and the senate ... I did not accept it (Augustus). The establishment of the
principate meant that Augustus and emperors after him were granted maius imperium and tribunician
potestas. Attaining dictatorial powers in political office was not necessary with these titles. Instead
Augustus successfully obtained support from the senatorial order while retaining supreme personal
power.
This paragraph clearly
expresses complex
information and
concepts with wellsequenced ideas and
obvious examples that
strengthen the view of
Caesar’s significance
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RoSA Work Sample Bailey
The expansion of Rome proved to be a significant aspect of Augustus’s rule. Roman expansion gave
Augustus access to increased resources and wealth that he utilized to Rome’s advantage. Augustus’s
greatest feat in regards to Roman expansion is usually considered his victory in Egypt, in the Battle of
Actium. Not only did this victory terminate an era of civil war, it led to Egypt’s absorption into the Roman
Empire. This change in Egypt’s status had enormous and lasting impacts for Rome. Augustus made
the most of Egypt as a Roman territory by sending troops ‘to clean out the irrigation canals of the Delta,
Nile, which had silted up after years of neglect in order to increase Egypt’s fertility and yield of grain for
the Roman market.’ (Suetonius). The food resources attained from the capture of Egypt contributed to
increased political stability. Augustus also harnessed the treasures that Egypt contained. Sources of
wealth such as Egypt were vital to the maintenance of the army and public finances. Augustus made
clear his dedication to acting in the interests of his principate in times of conflict ‘for foreign nations,
those which I was able to safely forgive, I preferred to preserve than destroy’ (Augustus). He made use
of his victories by harnessing rather than destroying the resources of regions and increasing the force of
the principate ‘about five hundred thousand Romans are sworn to me’ (Augustus). The wellbeing of
Roman’s rose for present and future generations due to the expansion and the principate under
Augustus.
Complex ideas are
communicated here
demonstrating critical
thinking. The
annexation of Egypt is
explained in terms of
cause and effect for
Roman advancement
under Augustus
Grade Commentary
Bailey’s response demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding with key points discussed in
relation to how they illustrate significance. Detail is evident, but inconsistent in places, with dates and
specific examples required to demonstrate greater depth and rigor, both in research and in the argument.
Thorough understanding and organisation is demonstrated by weaving the concept of significance through
the argument. This is achieved with a fluent and cohesive essay style. The response would be enhanced by
a concluding paragraph that summarises the ideas and arguments put forward.
Bailey’s response demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at a
grade B standard.
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