Download Year 13: Augustus and his rise to power: Introductory test

THE MORAL & SOCIAL REFORMS OF AUGUSTUS
A. READ & NOTE:
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Scullard (Chapter XI, section 9: pages 195-197)
Eck (Chapter 11: pages 100-113)
Goldsworthy (pages 325-328)
Res Gestae (6.2 and the notes on pages 46-8)
Suetonius: Divus Augustus (34 & 65)
B. INITIAL QUESTIONS:
1. What do we mean when we talk about “social” legislation?
2. Name THREE types of modern day social legislation you are aware of.
C. READ THIS INTRODUCTION from Scullard: From the Gracchi to Nero
“If Italy was to be fully integrated into the Roman Tradition, she must be made fully
aware of and loyal to that tradition. But if she turned her eyes on the capital she
would see much that was unworthy of Rome’s past. It is easy to draw an unpleasant
picture of the Roman aristocracy at the end of the Republic: of luxury, vulgar
ostentation, money-grabbing, legacy-hunting, and the licence of women like Clodia or
of young rakes likes Caelius, but exaggeration must be avoided. Demoralisation was
largely limited to part of the governing class in Rome itself, while, throughout most of
Italy, family life remained normal and healthy. But if Rome was to be a worthy leader
of Italy, and still more if she felt that that she had an imperial mission to the wider
world, she must not only infuse fresh blood from Italy into the old Roman oligarchy,
but must also reform the heart of Roman society itself. Realising, therefore, that only
so could Rome fulfil the mission to which Augustus believed she was called, he
attempted to regenerate society by social reform.”
NB:
Augustus’ family came from the small town of Velitrae, in Latium, whence he
derived older ideas of family and religious duties – it was in his blood!
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D. FOUR KEY QUESTIONS
As a group (write the answers in the spaces provided)
1. What does Scullard mean when he says “the Roman Tradition”? What
was this tradition? (Look at Suetonius, Divus Augustus 31)
2. Where have you already seen evidence of this tradition? (hint: think about
Mrs Kemsley’s classes as well as the ones you have on Augustus…)
Then, individually:
3. What does Scullard say was the basic problem with Rome, necessitating
Augustus’ social legislation? How was life different in the countryside?
4. What did Augustus believe Rome’s mission was? What similar mission
does this remind you of? (think – what else are you studying in Class Civ?)
What comparison can you therefore make?
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E. THE JULIAN LAWS IN DETAIL
As you will have worked out from the previous exercise, Augustus’ social legislation is often referred to as the ‘Leges Juliae’ or the ‘Julian
Laws’. In the table below, write down what these individual laws were (there are seven, listed for you). For each, make sure you include:
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The date it was passed.
The main clauses of the law.
Why YOU THINK it was needed.
Name of Law:
How was it passed?
lex Julia de adulteriis
coercendis
Date
Passed:
What did this law do?
Why do you think it was required?
lex Julia de maritandis
ordinibus
ius liberorum
NOT
KNOWN
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lex Papia Poppaea
lex Junia
lex Fufia Caninia
lex Aelia Sentia
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