Download Andrew Chow November 19, 2012 History 10A Augustus and

Andrew Chow
November 19, 2012
History 10A
Augustus and Roman Influence
After the assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BC, several powerful
members of Rome’s social elite vied for power. Among them was Caesar’s friend Mark
Antony and the other was Octavian, the grandnephew and later adopted son of Caesar. But
after Mark Antony committed suicide, Octavian was left as the sole ruler of Rome. Using
carefully chosen words, Octavian claimed he “gave back the state from his own power to
the control of the Roman senate and the people” (Hunt, p. 173). Octavian successfully won
the respect of the people, and was bestowed the name Augustus, or “divinely favored”.
During his 41-year reign as “Princep” of Rome, Augustus instituted many important social
and political reforms, making him one of the most influential figures in ancient history.
Augustus instituted many reforms that helped revive Roman culture, pride, and
religious faith during his reign. Using his vast personal fortune, he constructed spectacular
buildings throughout Rome, demonstrating the power and fortune of a new era. Many of his
reforms have had a lasting influence. For instance, at the secular games he forbade the
youth from participating in any entertainment at night without the accompaniment of an
adult relative. The same concept can be seen today in movie ratings, which deem material
not “appropriate” for certain age groups. He also established the first known police force
and fire-fighting force in western history to enforce laws and protect urban areas. Augustus
was also praised for his reverence for Rome’s past and humble roots. He honored great
Romans of the past by erecting statues in their honor in the new Forum of Augustus.
During his reign, Augustus sought to improve Roman morality through religious
revival. He constructed impressive monuments and restored older temples. He also
stressed religion by raising the status of religious officials such as priests and Vestal
virgins. Religious officials also received higher allowances and more privileges. These new
benefits provided a greater incentive to become a religious official, and the number of
priests swelled.
Augustus instituted an immense religious revival because of his concern with
Roman morality. He felt that a resurrection of traditional Roman values would be the best
way to deal problems concerning morality. Augustus reintroduced old festivals, rituals,
and customs of old Rome. “He revived some of the ancient rites which had gradually fallen
into disuse, such as the ceremonies of the Lupercalia…” (Mellor, p. 111) Augustus stressed
the importance of the family and the need for succession. He implemented legislation
known as the “Julian Laws” which promoted marriage and sharply discouraged adultery.
Those who committed adultery were completely banished from the empire. Augustus’ own
daughter and granddaughter (both named Julia) were banished for adultery. He explains
that not marrying is like “sacrilege” for not creating something that should be created. He
reasons that the state cannot be preserved if the people are not having children and the
population is not being replenished. In one of his speeches concerning marriage, Augustus
explains, “How, indeed, could I be a good ruler over you, if I could endure to see you
growing constantly fewer in number?” (Mellor, p. 115)
A large portion of Augustus’ success as emperor of Rome is because of the
relationship he had with his army. Augustus made sure to always have the respect and
praise of his army because he knew that power ultimately resided with control of the
military. Even before his ascension to the title “Augustus”, Octavian distributed portions of
his land or granted money to army veterans for military service. As Augustus, he started his
military reform by turning the republic’s citizen-based military into a more formidable
“standing” army filled with full-time, professional soldiers. Just as he did with religious
officials, Augustus expanded the army by providing benefits to citizens who serve in the
army. Benefits included substantial retirement pensions for legions, and opportunities for
the poor to have a decent career without any education. These actions led the army’s
allegiance to slowly switch from the state to the emperor.
Octavian was given the name Augustus, “the divinely favored”, and was forever
deified in Roman history. But he still faced the same problem plaguing men throughout
ancient history; who will be the heir to the throne? Augustus had no immediate son, only a
daughter named Julia. However, after divorcing Julia’s birth mother and marrying Livia
Drusilla, Augustus now had two son-in-laws in Tiberius and Drusus. Complications to his
health caused Augustus to seek a successor early in his regime. Although Augustus could
have chosen Agrippa, his friend and a great general, or one of his two son-in-laws to take
the crown, circumstances surrounding his own rise to power inclined him to seek a blood
heir. His adoption by Julius Caesar instilled in him a belief that “political legitimacy of the
regime and the loyalty of the army depended on choosing a blood relative.” (Mellor, p.38)
Unfortunately, his grandsons died before they were able to take the throne. However,
Tiberius showed through multiple military victories that he was a capable leader, and in 14
CE was recognized as the official new emperor of Rome and successor to Augustus.
Augustus was a brilliant leader who understood the power of his position like few
men in history. He took control of Rome under the guise of a Republic because he
understood the need for a stable leader after the chaos during his ascension to power. He
called himself “princeps” instead of emperor, understanding that the people were still wary
of monarchial rule after the death of Julius Caesar. Using propaganda, he was able to lead
many Romans to believe that the state was still a republic rather than an empire. This is
Augustus’ genius as a ruler: he knew that if he had the support of the people, he could more
easily pass legislation. Although his power and influence grew, Augustus continued to be a
“patron” of the people. He used his personal fortune to pay for public projects and
buildings, and pay for grains and foods for the poor. Combined with a new sense of Roman
pride through urban projects and military prestige, Augustus became an immensely
popular and powerful ruler.
Augustus was not the only ruler in ancient history to be deified; Alexander the Great
was also seen as a “god” among his people for his impressive and almost “superhuman”
achievements.
Unlike Augustus, who was never in great health, Alexander fought side-by-side with
his armies, often leading the charge himself. He was described as being reckless with total
disregard for his own life, which won him a great deal of respect with the army who
reveled in seeing their ruler fight along side them. Like Augustus, Alexander commanded
the admiration and respect of his military by providing incentives and benefits (Land,
money, etc.) to those who served.
Alexander had to deal with many social issues because of the enormous size of his
empire. His vast new kingdom now encompassed many people who spoke different
languages and shared completely different cultures. To help settle cultural differences, he
ordered some Macedonian men to marry Persian women. Bringing together so many
diverse cultures and ethnic groups may be Alexander’s most enduring impact on history.
Entire groups of people were brought together and given an opportunity to exchange goods
and ideas under the regime of Alexander the Great. If it were not for Alexander’s conquests,
it might have been much later before these diverse groups of people came in contact with
one another.
Augustus and Alexander were significantly different when it came to preserving or
adhering to traditions. Augustus showed great respect for Rome’s past by erecting statues
in honor of important Roman heroes. He insisted that the old ways were best, and worked
to restore pride in traditional Roman values. He also stressed the importance of the
traditional childbearing family for the future and wellbeing of the empire. Alexander was
very different in this way. In order to win the respect of the people he had conquered, he
would often adopt some of their traditions. This angered and caused resentment among
many Macedonians who felt a great amount of pride towards their own culture and
customs. He also promoted interracial marriage - which is very rare in the ancient world in order to ease tensions between his subjects.
As the story goes, when asked which commander will succeed him after his passing,
Alexander the Great responded, “To the most powerful.” (Hunt, p.119) There is a lot of
controversy surrounding the death of Alexander the Great. Some historians insist he was
poisoned, while others believe he died of more natural causes. But like Augustus and many
other leaders of the ancient world, there were many complications concerning the
successor of Alexander the Great. After his death at the young age of 33, several members
of the Macedonian elite contended for the throne. Similar to the period after the death of
Julius Caesar; chaos, violence, and confusion marked the time shortly after Alexander’s
death. Unlike Augustus, Alexander had a legitimate son born months after his death.
However, Alexander’s former commanders killed all other members of the royal family, and
his kingdom was fragmented and distributed among several successors.
Augustus and Alexander the Great controlled some of the most massive empires in
ancient history. However, both men experienced success through different means. While
Augustus worked to restore traditional Roman values, Alexander chose to mix the values of
the cultures he conquered. But both knew the importance of the army and its role in a
successful empire. They commanded absolute respect from their militaries during their
reigns.
Augustus Caesar was the emperor during Rome’s golden age. His rule marked the
end of a period of chaos and confusion in Rome after the death of Julius Caesar. He
implemented many social reforms and attempted to restore pride in traditional Roman
values. He won the admiration of the army and his subjects for being a “patron” of the
people. Under his regime, Rome experienced a period of economic and social prosperity
that would come to be known as the “Pax Romana”. Augustus was the first ruler of the
Roman Empire, and is perhaps the most influential figure in ancient Roman history.
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