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To what extent do you agree that the new Golden Age of Augustus was the…
To what extent do you agree that the new Golden Age of Augustus was the main focus of his propaganda
Him not being seen as a monarch
Augustus & Pater Patriae
He always made sure that he is not seen as a monarch or a god throughout his career
Battle of Actium
he fought Antony and Cleopatra, a civil war
Horace's Cleopatra
'[Cleopatra] showed no sign of womanish fear... she dared to gaze at her fallen kingdom'
Cleopatra is a threat to the Republic = she is a monarch, hated by the Romans
Augustus fought monarchy = he is a Republican
However, he flopped on conveying this message in order for him not to be seen as a monarch after his death
Augustus' Mausoleum
Hellenistic style, which is the art used by the monarchs
showed his loyalty to the state, unlike Antony, who wanted to be buried at Alexandria = his propaganda aims changed over time (he wanted to show his power and wealth)
In the Hellenistic east:
He encouraged the people there not to worship him as a god
Kalabsha Gate
= he associated himself to Isis (Liked by the Romans)
he was worshipped alongside Roma, not directly = divert the attention that he is a monarch
Him as the bringer of the new Golden Age
Pater Patriae, Augustus & Cultural Hero
MORALITY AS THE DRIVER OF THE GOLDEN AGE
Hesiod's concept of 'Ages of Man'
Humanity is in decline
Cronus got overthrown, and human's quality of life has decreased due to not prioritising the gods (morality)
He emphasized the importance of morality to the Romans, in order for them to come back to the Golden Age
In
Moral Decadence
, Augustus explored the things that Roman should not do
Neglecting their religious duties, which made the gods angry
The morals have declined = affected all Rome
In
Augustus Returns
, expected Roman morals were portrayed through the Imperial family
'matchless husband' and Livia supporting him = proclaiming his position as Rome's paterfamilia
PEACE AND PROSPERITY BEING RESTORED
Ludi Saeculares
Declaration of the Golden Age, Romans celebrating the Golden Age
Carmen Saeculare
, a hymn sang as the intro of the Games = future generation hoped to continue the Golden Age
incl:
Peitas (duty to the state, family and gods), sacrificing to the gods.... making them happy = peace and prosperity for Rome (no more civil wars)
Fides (commitment to their spouse), not having affairs with everyone = Venus will protect the mothers who are moral
Ara Pacis
(Campus Martius)
An altar to commemorate Augustus' victory in Northern Spain for the peace goddess Pax - used for anual sacrifices
= He has brought peace back
The location of the building used to be a battlefield, the religious place built in it gives the impression that he actually achieved peace and prosperity
Lower half outside of the altar - the
Vines
Symbolized fertility and natural bounty
Very symmetrical = reflecting the strict social order of Augustus' regime
Galinsky
The vines are easily recognisable symbol of prosperity
= can be interpreted by anyone
Rome’s success had been achieved through Rome’s piety and their peril had disintegrated due to traditional sacrifices
Made in marble = shows the wealth invested to the buildings
another sign fir the Golden Age
However, this idea was only delivered to Romans in 17 BC, after his victory against Northern Spain
It was not intended by Augustus to deliver this message from the beginning of his career, rendering the propaganda aim to present that Rome is in the Golden Age
Legitimisation of his position as Rome's leader
Imperator, Divi Filius, Pater Patriae, & Cultural Hero
Him being the paterfamilia of Rome
He is a descendant of Aeneas and Romulus
Ara Pacis
Aeneas + Romulus/Remus Panel
Romulus and Remus being watched by Mars
descended from Aeneas = Augustus can claim inheritance of leadership
Augustus reforming Rome in a gradual change
Romulus and Aeneas founding Rome
Augustus the second founder
Ovid's Metamorphosis
'you gods have favoured the human race?'
the gods didn't want Caesar to die (but he was destined to die), his death caused 2 civil wars
= gods have chosen Augustus to be Rome's leader, in order to avenge him and bring the peace back to Rome
Pax Augusta
if he was killed = peace will end
Romulus is the 1st founder of Rome
Augustus is the 2nd founder
perfecting Rome
Aeneas performing sacrifices to gods
co marketed with Augustus panel, portrayed similar to Aeneas = they are the same
He also co marketed himself with Julius Caesar in the beginning of his career - then revised Caesar's portrayal into a god
By using coinage:
Before = shows that he is not being a monarch, because his position in the Senate is constitutional
After = he co marketed himself with J. Caesar (a god), shown as a comet... Romans can't crcitisise him anymore
Securing his legitimacy as the successor of J. Caesar's legacy
Galinsky
It was disadvantageous for Augustus be associated with Caesar the dictator
= will make him seems like a monarch
The aim to present himself as the descendant of the founder of the Roman race and state
became less relevant, because he has already got the sole rule over Rome because he doesn't have opposition in Rome after Antony