Augustus Caesar (Lancaster Pamphlets in Ancient History)
Language: English
Pages: 144
ISBN: 0415319366
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
History sees Augustus Caesar as the first emperor of Rome, whose system of ordered government provided a firm and stable basis for the expansion and prosperity of the Roman Empire. Hailed as 'restorer of the Republic' and regarded by some as a deity in his own lifetime, Augustus was emulated by many of his successors. David Shotter reviews the evidence in order to place Augustus firmly in the context of his own times. Key topics discussed include:
- the background to Augustus Caesar's spectacular rise to power
- his political and imperial reforms
- the creation of the Republica of Augustus
- the legacy Augustus Caesar left to his successors.
Revised throughout, the second edition of this successful book takes the most recent research in the field into account. David Shotter also includes more coverage of the social and cultural aspects of this complex character's reign together with an expanded guide to further reading.
confused state of Armenian politics. A pro-Roman clientking (Tigranes) was installed on the Armenian throne and the King of Parthia (Phraates) induced to accept a Roman presence in the area. There was obvious merit in the arrangement—good relations between Rome and Parthia, leading to the installation of a king of Armenia acceptable to both parties. Unfortunately such arrangements had validity only so long as the original participants remained. The removal by death (or other means) of the ruler
procedures. Thus, the hold exerted over the Republic by the senatorial nobility was virtually complete. Their wealth, invested in land, allowed them THE CRISIS OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC 7 to control their tenants and make money with which to patronise others—for example, the urban proletariat. Their military, religious and legal expertise led to further means of control over ordinary citizens, whilst as magistrates senators were constrained by group loyalty and by the need to remain accepted by
As a faction-leader in the wings, Octavian would hope to win the clientage that owed his adoptive father the most—the equestrian order, the army and the urban plebs. But to do so meant competition between himself, the leader now of Caesar’s family, and Antony, the most senior adherent of Caesar outside the family. This clash within the faction of one who was a member of the Julian family and one who was not was a phenomenon that would appear again. The primacy of the Caesarian faction had
was done to teach a lesson to Gaius and Lucius, who were not, it was said, developing a proper sense of responsibility. In disgust at what therefore amounted to an affront to his dignitas, Tiberius retired to Rhodes. So angry was Augustus at this desertion that, despite the ill-feeling caused within his family, he made it clear that Tiberius would not be welcome to return from his self-imposed exile. THE SUCCESSION 93 Plate 13 Denarius (2 BC; RIC 207), showing on the obverse Augustus’ title of
50; Temple of the Lares 50, 69; Temple of Magna Mater 50; Temple of the Penates 50, 69; Temple of Mars Ultor 50, 54, 83; Temple of Quirinus 50; Temple of Venus Genetrix 50; Temple of Vesta 50, 69; Theatre of Marcellus 55, 56 Romulus 56, 59 INDEX 131 Saragossa (Caesaraugusta) 76 Scipio Aemilianus (see under Cornelius) Sejanus (see under Aelius) Sempronius Gracchus, Tiberius (tr. pl. 133 BC) 11, 38, 88, 116 Seneca the Elder 106 SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS 107 Sergius Catilina, Lucius 2, 17 Servilius