Roman Artists And His Influence On The Public 's Opinion On Prominent Figures And Political Issues

General, politician, and master of propaganda, Gaius Julius Caesar, better known as Julius Caesar, is closely associated with the fall of the Roman Republic. A man of profound charisma who was well known for his pivotal military campaigns, Caesar was also an author and a shrewd developer of military propaganda . He also became known for expanding the roman republics geographic borders and founding its imperial system. Caesar had battled in numerous wars and took part in the Roman government. The start of his Dictatorship of the Roman Empire, would ultimately be the cause the end of his life. He would later become a large part in the History of Western Civilization. This essay will explore the life of Julius Caesar, his influence on the Roman Republic, government, military, and social practices.

In ‘An Ancient Roman Perspective’, Gemma Wilson’s account for Rome’s feelings towards the Queen is one of great hostility. According to Wilson, “at best, the Romans viewed Cleopatra with suspicion. At worst, they hated her.” Cleopatra was of coarse despised for utilizing the two public figures of Rome’s world, Caesar initially and then Mark Antony. Peter Roberts describes how it was Octavian that initiated Rome’s hatred towards Rome, relying on ‘sexual slander’ to tarnish her reputation. Many Roman poets continued this tradition of condemnation such as Lucan in ‘Pharsalia’, referring to Cleopatra as “Egypt’s shame.” Horace continues to embellish this image; “the queen, with a contaminated gang of creatures’ in his Ode XXXVII, referring to

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

Though Pompey sought power by manipulating the political system to his own advantage, the fact that the Senate was already weak and hence gave him this power.This shows that although Pompey’s actions were detrimental to the fall of the Republic, he was not the sole contributor. Pompey was both underage and had held none of the required offices, yet the Senate passed decrees exempting him from these traditional prerequisites, thus allowing for him to be joint consul with Crassus in 70 BC. According to Cicero, “absolute power” was what he had sought, and thus this ambition had nothing to do with “the happiness and honour of the community.” This reveals a callously ruthless dimension to Pompey, in that he would undertake any measure to achieve his own goals. However, it should also be noted that Cicero’s interest areas are sometimes narrow and deliberately, or accidentally selective. By reaching the top without any previously held positions of consequence, Pompey the Great had manipulated the political system to his own advantage. Thus, by doing so he undermined the Senate, reiterating its insignificance and weakness.

While Augustus, in both images, emanates leadership qualities like self-confidence, power and dominance, art can be misleading propaganda. It is difficult to reach a conclusion, in either image, as to whether he was a moral leader. Augustus was effective as the conqueror of Egypt depicted in the

Augustus was aware of the fact that the various art forms could strengthen his control. He did this from the start of gaining power, he set himself up to be a ‘savior’ gaining propriety by rebuilding the temples and thus the morale

Yavetz, Zwi. Julius Caesar and His Public Image. Aspects of Greek and Roman Life. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1983. Web.

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.

Caesar’s first military leadership experience was when he was sent to Spain where he commanded many troops in order to maintain a rebellion. While there, it is said the “First Triumvirate” was born, an alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. This alliance helped him gain the upper hand, and begin his ascension into political power. With this political power he became Governor of Gaul, and once Governor he defeated the Helvetians, Germans, and Nervii.

The Roman Empire lasted over 500 years and got so big that it fell. The Roman empire began with Augustus Caesar when he became the first emperor of Rome in 31 BCE. It lasted until its fall in 476 C.E. How this empire influenced our world today is limitless. The Roman Empire began as a small republic and eventually became the most commonly known empire ever. The Roman Republic was also a very important time period and system which we copied off and still use today. One thing important to the Republic was its balance, the main part of this government which was a body of people chosen from elite families to set policies for the consoles.

However, his accomplishments were attainable due to his absolute power over other officers; senates respected Augustus by praying for his life and health (Augustus 9). The position of Augustus was superior to that of others. Moreover, the meaning of his name as “revered one” and the tones stating “I, my, me” illustrate him as an absolute ruler (Augustus 4). Within the fact that he wrote down the contexts by himself and the tone he addressed, Augustus’ power was absolute out of other officers in the empire and clearly reflected him as a

Livy employs a subtler criticism of Caesar and Pompey since he never mentions their names. However, his language often hints at legend paralleling historical events, such as when he mentions the resolution of the Sabines and Romans in which “the two kings exercised their joint sovereignty with perfect harmony” (Livy, 1.13). The term “king” was often used in literature of this period to describe the Caesars, such as how Augustus is described in Vergil’s Parade of Heroes. The image of Romulus and the Sabine king ruling jointly lies in stark contrast to the tumultuous relationship between Caesar and Pompey, arguably the two most powerful men of their day. This phrase makes it apparent that Livy is trying to draw parallels between the story of the Sabine women and Caesar and Pompey. Livy is careful in his criticism because while the parallels are apparent, he never specifically mentions their names. Lucan is outright in his criticism, as his whole work centers on Caesar and Pompey. He even ventures so far as to call them “frenzied” and inserts humor into his writing. For example, he humorously points out that “holding land and sea, the entire world, was not big enough for [Caesar and Pompey]”, which colors their grab for power as childish and motivated by greed

In 27 BC Augustus began his political career with a “new policy which embodied a national and Roman spirit” (Galinksy, 1996, 225) and “represented new heights in creativity and sophistication” (Galinksy, 1996, 225). Augustus created a new political propaganda campaign that used art and architecture to promote and enhance his regime. The most fundamental message can be regarded as to establish the legitimacy of his rule and to portray him as the natural successor of Rome, as this is consistently presented throughout the visual programme. Yet factors such as the restoration of the Republic, reviving the old religion, nationalism and militaristic triumph can also be seen to be communicated prominently through art and architecture.

Julius Caesar is perhaps the most well known in the history of Roman Emperors, yet there is no denying that his reign was filled with controversy, no reason more so than his devious rise to power and his mischievous ways of suppressing the senate. There is no doubt that in ruling as a Dictator; Caesar lost the support of the Roman people, who had fought for freedom against an Etruscan King, a role in which Caesar was playing. His death in 44BC coincided with what many believe to be the year in which the Republic completely its eventual ‘fall’ that it had been plummeting to since 133BC, and it is only by looking at the differences in the end of his reign to that of Augustus’ in 27BC that

Virgil’s the Aeneid follows the founder of Rome, Aeneas, following the fall of Troy. Through his exploration of themes such as power, warfare, and duty, Virgil attempts to illustrate the glory of Rome. This is seen throughout the epic through the presentation of imperialism, a characteristic of Rome that would have been highly valued by its citizens. We see this presented in Book 6 when Aeneas travels to the underworld, “under his auspices, watch, my son, our brilliant Rome will extend her empire far and wide as the earth, her spirit high as Olympus.” Here, Virgil alludes to Rome’s ability to grow through conquering other nations thus functioning as a form of glorification of imperialism, which would have likely satisfied Caesar’s request.