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The Transformation of Roman Society Under Augustus

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The Transformation of Roman Society Under Augustus THE TRANSFORMATION OF ROMAN SOCIETY UNDER AUGUSTUS Week 4 From Octavian to augustus From Octavian to Augustus I. Aftermath of Actium II. Settlement of 27 BC III. Settlement of 23 BC IV. Honours and prestige V. Man, god, primus inter pares? VI. ‘Restoring’ the Republic? Such was the naval battle in which they engaged on the second of September. I do not mention this date without a particular reason, nor am I, in fact, accustomed to do so; but Caesar now for the first time held all the power alone, and consequently the years of his reign are properly reckoned from that day. (Dio 51.1) What was Octavian’s position in the Roman world? How can we work this out? After actium -Octavian victor, unprecedented status -Not in Rome, but Egypt—needs to sort affairs there -Cornelius Gallus made prefect (d. 26 BC) After actium -Octavian victor, unprecedented status -Not in Rome, but Egypt—needs to sort affairs there -Cornelius Gallus made prefect (d. 26 BC) Caius Cornelius gallus -LACTOR P5: trilingual career inscription -Poetry: image of Octavian? (passage 1) Letter to Rhosus -Passage 2 How is Octavian cast by himself, and how is he treated by Rhosus? Honours of 29 BC Passage 3: -Arches -Actian games every 4 yrs -Auxilii latio -‘Athena’s vote’ Senate ratifies all his acts (Dio 51.20) Close doors of Janus temple Cistophorus of ephesus, 28 bc Libertatis P(opuli) Pax R(omani) Vindex Triple triumph of 29 BC - Dalmatia, Actium, Egypt From Octavian to Augustus I. Aftermath of Actium II. Settlement of 27 BC III. Settlement of 23 BC IV. Honours and prestige V. Man, god, primus inter pares? VI. ‘Restoring’ the Republic? Settlement of 27 bc Compare RG to Dio (passages 4-5) How do you account for the differences? Settlement of 27 bc Octavian gets: -provincia (Gaul, Spain, Syria) for 10 yrs -title of Augustus (passage 6) -clipeus virtutis -other honours -continues to be elected as consul Settlement of 27 bc Title of Augustus: passage 7 Clipeus virtutis (copy from Arles) Settlement of 27 bc -Corona civica above door; laurels Aureus of 19-18 BC "After by augury august illustrious Rome had been founded." From Octavian to Augustus I. Aftermath of Actium II. Settlement of 27 BC III. Settlement of 23 BC IV. Honours and prestige V. Man, god, primus inter pares? VI. ‘Restoring’ the Republic? Settlement of 23 bc Augustus lays down consulship Becomes proconsul (LACTOR M27) Receives -Tribunicia potestas -Maius imperium [Tribunicia potestas] was a phrase which Augustus devised as a designation of supremacy, so that without assuming the name of king or dictator he might have some title to mark his elevation above all other authority. (Tac, Ann 3.56.2) From Octavian to Augustus I. Aftermath of Actium II. Settlement of 27 BC III. Settlement of 23 BC IV. Honours and prestige V. Man, god, primus inter pares? VI. ‘Restoring’ the Republic? Honours post 23 2 BC – Pater Patriae (passage 9) Number of honours recorded by Dio drops; pattern of refusal instead, with some exceptions 19 BC: Ara Fortunae Reducis 13 BC: Ara Pacis 12 BC: Pontifex Maximus 11 BC: Refuses statues; instead, has them erected to Salus, Pax, and Concordia From Octavian to Augustus I. Aftermath of Actium II. Settlement of 27 BC III. Settlement of 23 BC IV. Honours and prestige V. Man, god, primus inter pares? VI. ‘Restoring’ the Republic? The poets -Other perspectives on Augustus’ position? -Passage 10 (Ovid) -Propertius (LACTOR G30) -LACTOR G27; G44 (Horace) How do we understand Augustus’ position in the Roman world? From Octavian to Augustus I. Aftermath of Actium II. Settlement of 27 BC III. Settlement of 23 BC IV. Honours and prestige V. Man, god, primus inter pares? VI. ‘Restoring’ the Republic? Restoration of republic? Dio? Suetonius? Fasti Praenestini? (LACTOR C5) Laudatio Turiae? (LACTOR T37f) Coinage? (LACTOR H18) Restoration of republic? Dio? Suetonius? Twice Augustus thought about restoring the Republic. (Aug 28.1) Other authors? (cf. Velleius) Restoration of republic? Res Gestae RG 34.1: I transferred the republic from my power to the control of the senate and Roman people kyrieia vs. politeia Restoration of republic? Fasti Praenestini? (LACTOR C5) Restoration of republic? Laudatio Turiae? (LACTOR T37f) Once the world had been pacified and the state restored, then peaceful and happy days came to us. Restoration of republic? Coinage? (LACTOR H18) Restoration of republic? New foundation? optimi status auctor (Suet, Aug 28.1) Coin (BMC, Aug, 16-19) (within an oak wreath) I O M S P Q R V S PR S IMP CAES QVOD PER EV R P IN AMP ATQ TRAN S E Jovi Optimo Maximo, Senatus Populusque Romanus vota suscepta pro salute Imperatoris quod per eum Res Publica in ampliore atque tranquilliore statu est..
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