Octavian (Augustus)

Background Information

• The Republic was breaking down– Politicians began to push the boundaries that were

acceptable– Politics had become violent and the use of intimidation

common– Problems were solved with daggers rather than speeches

and persuasion– Powerful generals used their armies to get what they

wanted– Generals used open rebellion to get what they want– Senate was not able to maintain order

Caesar’s Civil War

• Civil war (Caesar vs. Pompey) began in 49-45 BC– Caesar’s concern was the defeat of his political

opponent– During these years he received consul, dictator for

life.– Refused no honors given to him – Disregard for tradition and air of arrogance and

high handedness made him all but a king

Caesar’s Civil War

• Made no attempt to fix the problems of the Republic

• His bad behaviour caused his death

Caesar’s Assassination

• The “liberators” as they called themselves killed Caesar and ran out to tell the people

• They were expecting the gratitude of the people

• They were mistaken• People loved Caesar

March 17

• Senate declared amnesty for the “liberators”• They passed all of Caesar’s Acts• Gave him a public funeral in the forum

• When Caesar’s mutilated body was displayed to the crown, it upset the crowd especially when they heard his will

Caesar’s Will

• Caesar’s Last Will and Testament was made public at his funeral

• Caesar’s Land was given to the people to make a garden for them to spend time in

• Every Roman citizen was given money from Caesar’s Estate

• Named his Heir

Caesar’s Will

• The contents caused a burst of emotion and riots ensued

• Liberators fled the city• Power seemed to be in Marc Antony’s (Caesar’s

closest friend) hands• Marc Antony was beside Caesar in every battle

throughout his career• Bombshell… Caesar named his heir, the son he

adopted after his death, Octavius… His great nephew

Octavius

• Octavius, soon to become Octavian, and then Augustus

• Remote family link between Octavius and Caesar

• No evidence they actually met until Octavius was in his late teens.

Octavius

• Earned admiration of Caesar on the battlefield in Spain

• Daring• When Octavius heard of the death of Caesar,

he was not in Italy

Octavius’ Reaction

• His friends and his senior officers urged him to hide and take refuge in Macedonia

• Family advised that he lie low• Entered southern Italy, he heard more details about

Caesar’s death and his own adoption• His family fearful for his life, urged him to renounce

his adoption and inheritance in order to secure his personal safety.

• Instead he went immediately where Caesar’s troops were stationed

Entrance to Politics

• Following custom, Octavius assumed the name G. Julius Caesar Octavianus (Now Octavian)

• First Renovation of his persona– Unknown Octavius to Caesar, son of Caesar

• To identify with his popular uncle her refered to himself as “Caesar”– The name had tremendous pull in Rome

Result

• Many of Caesar’s troops joined his cause and he moved towards Rome

• As he got closer to Rome, his numbers grew in size– Especially veteran soldiers loyal to Julius Caesar

Marc Antony’s Reaction

• Marc Antony paid no attention– Trying to secure power for himself in other

provinces– Trying to get power from Brutus and the Liberators– When Octavian finally entered Rome, Antony

continued to ignore him

The Meeting

• Octavian arranged a meeting• Exchange did not go well• Antony blocked Octavian’s move to have his

adoption recognized formally in the senate• This prevented Octavian from being able to

stand for public office• Octavian was popular with the crowd and

tension with Antony rose

• Due to his popularity, Octavian was able to recruit a private army of 10,000 of Caesar’s veterans

• Two of Antony’s own legions went over to Octavian

• Supported by Civero in the Senate, Octavian’s illegal army was legalized

• Antony declared a public enemy

• Octavian moved against Antony• Senate hoped that Octavian would go away

but Octavian bided time

• Octavian vs Senate

Octavian’s next Move

• Octavian marched on Rome and seized power with just 8 legions

• Octavian elected consul• His adoption was passed by the senate• Pai out the money assigned from the will to the

people• Revoked amnesty for the Liberators, tried and

convicted en mass and in abstentia• Position was still perilous

What caused Octavian’s Success

• Dismissed by Antony and senate proved he could act smartly and quickly for his own interest

• So young, lacked the support of Roman politicians, relied on direct appeals to the mob, his troops, and supporters of Caesar

The Second Triumvirate

• Octavian sought out Antony and reconciled • Repealed his decree declaring Antony a public

enemy

• Octavian, Antony and Lepidus met and formed a second triumvirate

• First seized property– Reason was financial as they needed money to go

after escaped Liberators

• Dealt with Liberators. First Cassius and Brutus and the liberators were defeated with many committing suicide

• Soon Lepidus was sidelined and all power was Antony’s and Octavian’s

Octavian’s Plan

• Took land from 18 rich towns and settled Caesar’s veterans

• Octavian won a few battles against Antony’s brother who attacked him

• This left Octavian no opponents except for Antony for power.

• Octavian was offered the role of “Pontifex Maximus” by the senate but he refused as Lepidus was still alive and held that power for life

• Now a change in Octavian… from avenger of Caesar’s death to upholder of Roman values and guardian of Roman traditions– He burned all the documents of his acts before now

as a symbol of starting over

Meanwhile Marc Antony

• Antony was not doing well in the East• Linked with Cleopatra, despite his marriage to

Octavian’s sister (Octavia)• Antony had two children with Cleopatra• Antony declared Cleopatra “Queen of Kings”

and her son by Caesar “King of Kings”• Divided eastern Rome Empire between

Cleopatra, Caesarian and his own children– Shocked Rome as it was not his land to give

Reaction

• Tension rises between Octavian and Antony • Divorces Octavian• The powers of the Triumvirate ran out and

while Octavian stopped using the titles, Antony did not

• Octavian “Respecter of Roman Tradition”• Antony tried to have Octavian renounced but

this did not work

Octavian Enraged

• Antony is setting up a second senate of exiled senators in Alexandria

• Octavian went to get his will from the Vestal Virgins (Completely illegal) and read it aloud in the senate

• Contents shocked the senate

Antony’s Will

• Be buried in Alexandria next to Cleopatra• The giving of the Eastern part of his Empire to

his and Cleopatra’s children

• This means War!!!

War!

• The war was expected to be huge• Met at Actium• Some of Antony’s army changed sides seeing

Octavian’s troops• Antony’s Navy was blockaged from helping• Defeat for Antony• Got Ready for battle, there was none- Most of

Antony’s army changed to OctavianHe and Cleopatra fled to Alexandria

Antony and Cleopatra

• Commit Suicide• Octavian had Caesarian and Antony’s eldest

son executed• Took control of Egypt and ended the Egyptian

Empire

Octavian is now Alone

• Octavian eventually returned to Rome and there was great celebration

• Large amounts of veterans settled (40,000 soldiers)

• He was aware that the Republic was not working

His Plan

• The “First Settlement”– Entered the senate– Surrendered all his positions and retired– Senate was confused and insisted that Octavian

remain at the help of the senate– Show of reluctance– Finally agreed to oversea Spain, Gaul, Syria, Cyrus,

and Egypt IF they would look after the rest– He would only do this for 10 years

Titles and Honors

• Given the name Augustus with religious meaning… no suggestion of political dominance

• Imperator (Military honour)• Laurel on the door of his house• Went on a tour of Gaul and Spain kept out of

the public eye to allow things to settle• On his return he was given a consulship

• Given the title of Imperium proconsulare… he could intervene in any affair anywhere even in Rome

• Given Tribunal powers by the people• Ponifex Maximus on the death of Lepidus• Over time he was given more and more

power… each time he “reluctantly” accepted

Pater Patriae

• Most important and proud title… “ Father of his Country”

• This was a sham… It kept people from resenting him

• Slow and careful acquisition of authority• He made sure it always came from the

senate… and did not step on the senate’s toes

ARMY REFORM

• Professionalization of the Army (28 Standing legions)

• Regular wages paid by him• Oath was done to him… Sole pay Master and

Sole provider of their retirement• He alone would choose his generals• Keep the men busy… and out of trouble

KEPT THE ILLUSION OF THE REPUBLIC