(1) What was the Augustan Settlement? How did Augustus balance his perceived need for absolute power with his concern to lend the impression that the republic had been restored and the old ways were being observed?
(2) Read the selections from The Aeneid from Lesson 49, and skim this essay on The Aeneid. What is the basic story of this epic? Why do you think this great literary work has also been called an exercise in political propaganda?
(3) Discuss the autobiography of Augustus.
(4) Use your reading and the video lesson to summarize important events in the life of Julius Caesar.
Question 4: Important Events in The Life of Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was born on July 13, 100 BC into a patrician family, that was linked to the infamous Trojan prince, Aeneas. He played a crucial role in the fall of the Roman republic, as a politician and general. He wormed his way into the position of consul in Rome in 59 B.C. He served as consul for a year and was then appointed as governor of Gaul from which he obtained quite a fortune.
In 59 B.C., Caesar formed the First Triumvirate with Pompey the Great and Marcus Crassus. Pompey was at the time looked up as the greatest military commander of his time! Crassus was the richest man in Rome, largest landlord, and a property speculator. This was an extremely important political alliance, that lasted from 59 B.C. to Crassus's death in 53 B.C. The First Triumvirate was an informal secret agreement between these powerful figures to support each other.
In the public eye, it looked as if these three men just happened to agree with other other, and solve problems smoothly.But, in private, they had simply created a compromise that was selfish at the core. These men only wanted their advance their own personal gains and really had no interest in each other whatsoever. Each one was simply in the deal for what they could get out of it.
Julius Caesar was victorious in the Gallic Wars, where he defeated a number of Gallic Tribes.This win increased Rome's territory, with the addition of the English Channel and the Rhine. It made Caesar the first general to cross these two rivers, when he built a bridge and directed the first invasion of Britain.
Pompey had chosen to recommit himself to the Senate, after the death of Crassus. This had ended the First Triumvirate and made Pompey jealous. After the conquering of The Rhine, the Senate ordered him to resign from his military command. He had the choice of either obeying the Senate or starting what would be a bloody war with Pompey. Pompey had chosen to recommit himself to the Senate, after the death of Crassus. This had ended the contract(First Triumvirate) and put Caesar in a higher position than Pompey.This win increased Rome's territory, with the addition of the English Channel and the Rhine. He also made a bold, rebellious move when he crossed the Rubicon River in 49 B.C. "Crossing the Rubicon" was a illegal, scandalous move that ultimately ignited a Civil War within Rome's borders.
The Rubicon was a river that separated Gaul and Italy. Caesar knew that a war would be the result, yet he plunged ahead without hesitation.The consequence of this deadly action would eventually be the formation of the Roman empire. It was a decision that couldn't be taken back, once Julius went ahead with it.
As his men followed him across the river, Caesar famously shouted, "Let us go where the omens of the Gods and the crimes of our enemies summon us! The crime is now cast!" In light of this fateful deed, Caesar also became the first man daring to defy this ancient roman law. Of course, as always, Julius Caesar kept on fighting and the Roman civil war became one of his many conquests and accomplishments.
Upon the end of the war, he took over the government completely and essentially became a tyrant. He was declared, "dictator in perpetuity," which means emperor for life and basically thought to be God. He had access and power over the bureaucracy, as well as initiating many new social and government reforms. His own "Julian calendar" was a notable alteration, which all the citizens were expected to use.
There were plenty of people who opposed his rule and outright disregard for Roman laws.Eventually, his controlling, ambitious attitude led to his assassination on March 15, 44 B.C, by a group of senators led by a man named Marcus Brutus. Because of this, even more drama and strife was aroused and new civil wars took place. Julius's great- nephew, Octavian was given the privilege of taking his uncle's place as governor, when he beat his adversaries in one of these civil wars. The start of his reign kindled the beginning of the Roman empire era, and an end to the old constitutional form of government.
Question 1: What was the Augustan Settlement? How did Augustus balance his perceived need for absolute power with his concern to lend the impression that the republic had been restored and the old ways were being observed?
The Augustan Settlement took place on January 16th, 27 B.C. Gaius Octavian, the great-nephew and heir of Caesar was renamed "Augustus," which means " the illustrious one". Octavian maintained the illusion that he wasn't a tyrant like his Uncle, and even relinquished some of his powers to the Senate. He pretended to be humble and contrite, willing to obey Roman tradition. He realized he had to be more subtle about his want for control, than his Uncle before him, if he was to survive.
Therefore, he outwardly returned the Republic to it's original free state, by restoring control to the Senate, legislative assemblies, and executive magistrates. Augustus refused to be given titles that made him the highest authority and a monarch. Rather he referred to himself as Princeps Civitatis "First Citizen of The State". But the truth was that Augustus had autocratic(tyrannical) powers just like his Uncle had. By law he had the role of supreme military command for life,tribune, and censor. He was extremely clever, in weaving an intricate framework that fooled everyone. He convinced his nation that he respected the constitutional form of government and was a fair, noble ruler.
During his lifetime, he started the Praetorian guard, instilled police/fire services for Rome, developed a standing army, and an official courier system. He was also instrumental in repairing and rebuilding Rome after the havoc of the past years. Augustus was even further successful by developing Roman's borders, with the addition of Egypt and Africa. His reign ushered in a long period of Pax Romana (The Roman Peace), that lasted for 2 centuries!
Upon the end of the war, he took over the government completely and essentially became a tyrant. He was declared, "dictator in perpetuity," which means emperor for life and basically thought to be God. He had access and power over the bureaucracy, as well as initiating many new social and government reforms. His own "Julian calendar" was a notable alteration, which all the citizens were expected to use.
There were plenty of people who opposed his rule and outright disregard for Roman laws.Eventually, his controlling, ambitious attitude led to his assassination on March 15, 44 B.C, by a group of senators led by a man named Marcus Brutus. Because of this, even more drama and strife was aroused and new civil wars took place. Julius's great- nephew, Octavian was given the privilege of taking his uncle's place as governor, when he beat his adversaries in one of these civil wars. The start of his reign kindled the beginning of the Roman empire era, and an end to the old constitutional form of government.
Question 1: What was the Augustan Settlement? How did Augustus balance his perceived need for absolute power with his concern to lend the impression that the republic had been restored and the old ways were being observed?
The Augustan Settlement took place on January 16th, 27 B.C. Gaius Octavian, the great-nephew and heir of Caesar was renamed "Augustus," which means " the illustrious one". Octavian maintained the illusion that he wasn't a tyrant like his Uncle, and even relinquished some of his powers to the Senate. He pretended to be humble and contrite, willing to obey Roman tradition. He realized he had to be more subtle about his want for control, than his Uncle before him, if he was to survive.
Therefore, he outwardly returned the Republic to it's original free state, by restoring control to the Senate, legislative assemblies, and executive magistrates. Augustus refused to be given titles that made him the highest authority and a monarch. Rather he referred to himself as Princeps Civitatis "First Citizen of The State". But the truth was that Augustus had autocratic(tyrannical) powers just like his Uncle had. By law he had the role of supreme military command for life,tribune, and censor. He was extremely clever, in weaving an intricate framework that fooled everyone. He convinced his nation that he respected the constitutional form of government and was a fair, noble ruler.
During his lifetime, he started the Praetorian guard, instilled police/fire services for Rome, developed a standing army, and an official courier system. He was also instrumental in repairing and rebuilding Rome after the havoc of the past years. Augustus was even further successful by developing Roman's borders, with the addition of Egypt and Africa. His reign ushered in a long period of Pax Romana (The Roman Peace), that lasted for 2 centuries!
Very thorough! Nice job :)
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