Evidence Pack: the Achievements of Augustus

EVIDENCE PACK: THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AUGUSTUS

"The Achievements of Augustus" (packet) provides some historical background on the development of the Roman state and the background events to the reign of Augustus. Twelve sources ranging from legal decrees to road maps give a variety of perspectives on the challenges Augustus faced and his methods of solving those problems.

Process

Read and evaluate each of the 12 sources, using the supplementary information and the questions on pp. 45-49 to guide your reading and notes. Use the article “On Leadership” to help you to develop your own definition of greatness.

Be sure to read for both explicit meaning and implicit meaning.

Consider the type of source, its reliability and its usefulness as you read.

Consider the following questions as you read so that you develop a full understanding of the career of Augustus:

1. Identify the main achievements of Augustus.

2. Explain the political and cultural framework within which he operated.

3. Explain the distinctions between formal (de jure) and actual (de facto) power in Rome. Why is this distinction important?

4. Differentiate the types of power --political, military, economic, religious, cultural--and assess how important each was to Augustus' ultimate success

5. Explain how Augustus manipulated symbols and public opinion

6. Examine the strategies Augustus used to acquire, keep, exercise, and extend his power Some other questions you might want to consider:

1. Why did the Roman Senate not see what was happening? Or, if it did, why did the Senators not resist more strongly the changes Augustus was making? If not, why would he not take the title of emperor?

2. Do you think that Augustus really believed he was simply restoring and reforming the Republic? If not, why would he not take the title of emperor?

3. Other than the fact that they were paid by the emperor, what reasons can you see for the fact that so many writers were attracted to Augustus?

4. Do you think that Augustus deserved the title of "great"? Is his claim stronger than Julius Caesar’s? Why or why not? Is the concept of "greatness" a useful way to assess political leaders?

5. What limitations do your sources place on the scope and reliability of your conclusions?

Augustus packet: Wiesner, Mary et al. Discovering the Medieval Past : A Look at the Evidence.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 2003.