Augustus's Res Gestae And The Juvenile Satire

In both readings we receive a picture of Rome that the writers paint for us. Augustus provides for us a very biased view on Rome. In “ The Deeds of the Divine Augustus”, Augustus makes a point that Rome is superior to all other places. He takes pride in Rome, so much so that he does not point out the faults in Rome, rather he praises it for all its glory. In contrast, Juvenal’s “Satires”, takes a more realistic approach and explains to us the downfalls of Rome. He explains the good and the bad of Rome and writes with sense of truth. He explains to us that Rome is not perfect by any means. Through his writings, Juvenal is hoping to help the citizens realize their faults and return to their traditional Roman values, through this we can come to an understanding of the true Rome.

Caesar Augustus the man who found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble. Caesar Augustus, one of the strongest and most strategic leaders in roman history, but this was all much later in his life, he started off in a very poor state yet through hard work and determination he came out on top to be known throughout the generations.

Another clear point of difference between the two passages is their treatment of the deaths of Gaius Vibius Panse and Aulus Hirtius, the two consuls who Octavian was sent to fight with in Mutina. While Augustus relates that “both consuls had fallen in battle”, Tacitus plants a seed of doubt by saying “Soon both consuls had met their death by enemy action or perhaps in one case by deliberate poisoning of a wound and in the other at the hand of his own troops, instigated by Octavian”. The advantages (as well as te convenient coincidental nature) of the deaths of both of the consuls for Augustus are clear and while Augustus (obviously) stands by the belief that they died in battle – as historians have also come to believe due to the lack of evidence of any foul play – Tacitus voices the fears of many Roman citizens. However, in this case, it is Augustus’ claim which received more historical vailiduty, as lack of evidence can be evidence in itself; while Tacitus’ ideas towards the deaths of Pansa and Hirtius were mere speculation.

With the coming into view of the second settle. Augustus was granted the power of Maius Imperium which allowed him unlimited dmilitary control. He than was granted of civil authority. This allowed him the ability to do law making, the power to call for the senate, the ability to make the first movement at any meeting over representatives of a country and most importantly - he has sacrosanct (Place or too important) and untouchable. This meant that Augustus was free from prosecution, and was extremely clean protection for him. Uncoincidentally, Augustus has did not talk about or say his Maius Imperium throughout the Res Gestae. This was done so to maintain Augustus image as ruler for the people, by people, calming them his powers were not treated or used in a very mean, unfair way. While his statement does not point to or show the basis of his

There are other interpretations claiming that the citizens of Rome and senators saying that it wasn’t a plan however, it was Augustus spiritually wanting to give his power to the Senate. Moreover, After Augustus has been issued with a very serious illness. Augustus decided diverse basis to not have the authority for the consulate and to presume instead of these two powers, proconsul authority over the whole empire, which the senatorial provinces and the city of Rome, and Tribuncian power, which is now appearing in his titles. Therefore, the illness of Augustus in 23 BC, he was very treated because after his death there had to be a successor to his power who was able to control and run the system, most likely a successor which was from his family. Julia, was the only daughter from three of his marriages, he had to make his daughter marry his nephew, Marcellus, then to a trusted friend of his, Agrippa. Tiberius, the son of Gaius and Lucius, Augustus adopted him (stepson), whom his adoptive father Julius Caesar, after the death of Augustus was adoration as a god. Agrippa was a blessing for

He preserved all of the traditional offices while slowly taking many of the offices for him self. He was both consul and tribune. Commander and chief of the military and the senate also gave him direct control of many provinces, these provinces supplied men for his armies and food for them also, not to the senate. Augustus knew the importance of religion in roman society, he then named himself pontifex maximus which means supreme priest. He encourages the construction of temples dedicated to Rome and Augustus. None of these innovations in his ruling method altered the Roman constitution. The laws he did change however were the laws of the provinces of Rome which made them more romanized, so Augustus could be open about his actions so the senate would not bring him down and be with him. The Romans had a strong sense of there traditions and were fascinated by there history they loved when they could point out how the gods operated in there empire and allowed them much conquest of the western world. Before Augustus it looked for the romans as if the gods had left them, for they killed each other in revolutions and civil wars. Augustus’s many military victories and expansion of the empire through land and a political sense, show that the gods where on his side. He glorified Rome by hiring painters, sculptures, architects, and painters to design and build beautiful structures. He has paved the way for future Roman emperors to come.

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.

What makes Res Gestae particularly important is that it gives us a glimpse of the kind of image that Augustus wanted to portray of himself to the Roman public. From the very start, before even reading this source, we can infer that there is a degree of bias that comes with writing about oneself. Even more so, knowing that this writing was taken from Augustus’s tombstone. However, what is particularly striking about this deed written by Augusts, is the great care he takes in presenting the idea that his greatness in power is recognized by the people and the senate. The following excerpt from Res Gestae effectively demonstrates the kind of personification that Augustus wanted for himself. More importantly, how Augustus wanted the Roman people were to personify

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”.

Julius Caesar's reign was an unfavorable and chaotic period for Rome, and after his death, a large portion of the empire was handed down to his adopted son, Gaius Octavian. From the ashes of his father, Octavian was able to build an Empire unparalleled. Later, the name Augustus was given to him by Senate. Augustus ostensibly maintained the form of the Roman Republic while in actuality creating the Roman Empire. He introduced the administrative reforms that led to the Pax Romana with its flourishing of trade and the arts. Although Augustus's ascension to power could have not been without it bequested by Julius, it was his use of art and propaganda that reinforced the legitimacy his position.

to break free, Antony lost the battle but he and Cleopatra managed to flee the battle early

To reassure Roman Citizens that prosperity was evident Augustus set about reconstructing the city of Rome. Coins from the period (http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=443) illustrate the ‘health of the republic’ which was an essential part in reinforcing the feelings of stability that the Augustus wanted his people to encompass. The use of propaganda was also in an attempt to bolster his power. The reconstruction of the city involved creating essential services such as roads and aqueducts and also glorified Augustus and set in stone his achievements.

The short story, “Roman Fever” illustrates the shocking relationship between two women, Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade, by a chance meeting in Rome. As the story opens the two women are sitting on the terrace of a Roman restaurant that has an astonishing view of the Colosseum and other Roman ruins. While the women sit in silence and enjoy the tranquil view from the terrace they notice their daughters down below running off to spend a romantic evening with two young men. This triggers Mrs. Slades memories of her and Mrs. Ansley’s quixotic adventures in Rome as young adults and their first encounter with “Roman fever”. Wharton uses the term Roman fever to illustrative the women’s past relationship that is embedded with destruction,

On the 23rd of September 63BC a baby boy was born. Little did his family know that this amazing child was going to be one of the greatest politicians in Rome, he was also going to touch the lives of many Roman Citizens and to be remembered by thousands of people many years after his death. He was to rule an empire that stretched from Spain to Judea. Turn the Mediterranean Sea into a peaceful Roman Lake and was eventually to be worshipped as a god. The future Emperor of Rome was called Gaius Julius Octavious, whom we all know now as Augustus.

Galinsky adds a new dynamic to the telling of Augustus’ life with his interpretation and depiction of the leadership and the progress made at the time. He is attempting to show the reader a more rounded picture of the life of this young emperor. The strict structure of the overall book is great in reminding the reader that this is a recount of historical events. This along with the inset boxes may at times dry out the entertaining aspects of the story being told. That being said this book is well put together and unlike the average historical text has foudn a way to keep audiences engaged while keeping structure, and fact in unison.