Augustus And The Pope Analysis

In “The Deeds of the Divine Augustus” Augustus portrays Rome as a dignified cut above the rest. In this reading, we learn about the ruling of Augustus and how he feels entirely responsible for all the successes of Rome. I believe that this writing is not a display of the “real Rome” but rather a depiction of its author. Throughout “The Deeds of the Divine Augustus” Augustus repeatedly refers to himself in the text and how all these successes are a result of his leadership. An example of this is when Augustus states, “In my nineteenth year, on my own initiative and at my own expense, I raised an army with which I set free the state, which was oppressed by the domination of a faction.” There are

Around 71 B.C.,a few years before Augustus was born, Gaius Octavius started pursuing a job within the senate, but because of his latin instead of roman descent the pursuit of the job was very difficult for him. He continued pursuing the job in senate till around 70 B.C. when he won a quaestorship, a lower place in the government that entails supervising tax collection and doing special tasks for consuls in Rome, and joined the senate. Based on his latin descent winning a questorship was no small feat so it was no surprise when he was offered a spouse from one of Rome’s great trician clans. The only problem with this was he was already married to Ancharia who is not very well recorded in history so people have no firm evidence for why Gaius Octavius suddenly married Atia, a member of the Julian family making Julius Caesar his great-uncle. Together Atia and Gaius had two children, Octavius the younger and Gaius Octavian, named after his father, along with the one from Ancharia the second of the two being who we know as Augustus.

Of Augustus’ rise to power and the means by which he achieved his ends of Empirical glory, different views have been taken. While some

Augustus, who was once named C. Octavius, was the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar. Due to Caesar’s death from the uprising in 44 B.C., it was stated from his will, that Octavian was to be adopted as Caesar’s son. So his name was changed to C. Julius Caesar Octavianus (Porter, 2010). Later throughout his political and military career, he controlled Rome under the title Augustus (Brand, 2013). This begins a story of a young man to an emperor of the Roman world.

Have you ever waged war against your wife? Caesar Octavian Augustus did. Augustus was a great leader. Leaders are necessary because they need to show leadership amongst the people and unite the people as one doing anything to keep them safe. Caesar Octavian Augustus was one of Rome’s greatest leaders by showing that at the age of 19, he can rule one of the most powerful nations by any means including war (http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/augustus.html)

Augustus is known to be the first Roman emperor, and the founder of Rome, known for politically transforming the Roman republic to the early Roman Empire. During his rule his influence on artwork and architecture illustrated a classical style, and often they was a reflection of the “public image” of his rule, as well as his “new agenda”. (115) Augustus was quickly seen as a restorer of Rome. Augustus commissioned many large scale building projects such as the Campus Martius, as well as elaborate pieces of portraiture that illustrate his power and the peace of the new Rome under his rule. Augustus acknowledged his power and wealth but at the same time never formally declared himself emperor in order to maintain his citizenship. Although he was keen on denying title of emperor, he emphasized that he was a descendant of the great Julius Caesar considering himself his adopted son and his predecessor, in which he reinforces in some of the temples he commissioned. Overall Augustus was seen as a man of change and power, the one who brought prosperity to Rome when it became shaken by the assassination of Julius Caesar. The age of Augustus brought forth a classical style, influenced by Greeks, and the usage of marble and concrete to create complex buildings and sculptures. This was important because as a result of Augustus’ reign Rome obtained a very classical style, in which would later be reintroduced in order to mimic his greatness by other Emperors.

Augustus worked to keep Roman in power and he had to do it by working with the monarchy. He didn't act like he had all the power and he didn't even dress that way. He lived in a typical upper class home and not in a palace like most emperors would. He wore ordinary civilian dress and claimed that his togas were home spun by his wife and daughter. He believed he was saving Rome from destruction.

Finally, Ovid suggests that Augustus is a better ruler than his father and predecessor, Julius Caesar. Ovid notably describes, “videns bene facta fatetur essa suis maiora et vinci gaudet ab illo” (seeing the good deeds of the son, [Caesar] admits that they are greater than his and rejoices to be conquered by that man). Despite the fact that Caesar was extremely loved by the people, conquered many lands, reformed the calendar, and gave charity to the poor, Ovid declares that Augustus is even more accomplished. This weighty opinion reveals Ovid’s intentions to flatter

Along with Augustus’s military skills, he was politically and economically successful. Augustus is a better leader due to his great amount of political and economic success, like the civil service, the new currency and free trade, reorganization of the government, and he was a true statesman. First off, Augustus reorganized the government, and made it more honest. Augustus was able to maintain an honest government after the war. He was able to develop an efficient postal service, and established colonies. (6). This demonstrates that

Augustus Caesar is most commonly known for his role in building the Roman Empire. The civilization thrived under his rule for over 40 years and continued to use his methods for hundreds of years to come. His unique status in the government allowed for him to develop his authority among the Roman citizens as the most qualified person to rule the people. Augustus Caesar is most admired for expanding Rome with a loyal army, advancing the societal structure, and using his cleverness to run a successful empire.

Julia’s children did not have a better fate. Her sons died, while her daughter, Julia the Younger, was exiled same as her mother. After the death of Augustus Tiberius became emperor. He still harbored hate towards his second wife and decided to cut off her allowance and confine her to one room in her villa.

To change an empire from a Republic to a Monarchy, is in itself a great achievement, but to be that one man that successfully changes the way of old to the original form of state is an amazing fete. The will to achieve this, and the desire must be great and you must truly be remarkable, although in saying that, having your forefathers pave the way, assist in reaching that goal. This is what Augustus achieved, he became greatest man in Rome, the highest achievement one might endeavour, outdoing his forefathers. He played the game of Roman politics against some of the greatest minds, brilliantly and shaped what is now known as the “Great Roman Empire”.

Augustus was born in Rome on September 23, 63 B.C. He was originally named Gaius Octavianus, but when his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, was murdered, he took his name. Augustus’ real father died when his son was only four. Augustus was adopted in Julius Caesar’s will and was left to be his heir at the age of eighteen. Caesar was very fond of his grand-nephew and he sent him to the College of Pontifices at the age of sixteen. When Caesar was assassinated, Augustus was in Illyria, where he was sent to serve. It was only when he returned to Italy that he learned he was his great-uncle’s heir.

The First Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar achieved Rome great glory. From his birth, he had three names Octavius, Octavian, and the Roman Senate consulted him the name Augustus. He had the power to rule Rome’s religious, political and military affairs, with the Senate as an advisory body, successfully making him Emperor. Augustus’s transformation for Rome was tuff but he was able to achieve ultimate power. He really didn’t like being called “emperor”. He never titled himself as that. Augustus was one of the greatest leaders of history.

These identical historiographical disputes are also encountered by highly reputable and dependable sources such as the Oxford University Press and Augustus himself as the main complexity that is faced whether a sources is primary or secondary is that the authors can develop their own interpretations of events based on primary sources and also offer an argument or point of view in an effort to persuade. Despite this, Oxford University Press as a whole, contributes outstanding interpretations and shares large amounts of knowledge in regards to the life of Augustus’ particularly through the representations made by him through pieces of art and literature. This is especially beneficial as all of the pieces depict Augustus’ as being a moral man, which overall spectacles the connotation and association behind the art works, giving an insight into how the people of the ancient Roman society