What is the most significant difference between the image of Augustus in the Res Gestae and the image that Augustus cultivated throughout his lifetime? Justify your response with reference to a range of ancient sources. [30 marks]

Stressing his relationship with J. Caesar

Beginning of his reign:

  • He is J. Caesar's rightful son to inherit his legacy

Aureus 42 BC

  • He depicted himself alongside Caesar on the other side of the coin

THEIR DIFFERENCES

  1. Caesar is the Dictator in perpetuity, while Augustus is a consul
    Emphasises that Augustus is likable like Caesar but not a tyrant politician - avoids the idea that he is a threat in the Republic

Later period of his reign:

  • He depicted Caesar as a god

Ovid's Metamorphosis

  • Caesar was presented as a god, who was deified because he was a descended from the Julian Clan and because he was an imperator back when he was alive

He used J. Caesar's Caesar's image as a deity in order for him to legitimise his position as Rome's leader

  • Descendance from Venus > Aeneas > Caesar

Avoids association with J. Caesar

  • Caesar the man was a dictator = he didn't want to be seen as a monarch
  • Using Caesar as a god delivers the idea that Romans shouldn't oppose Augustus because the gods are on his side

Res Gestae 2
"My father"

  • He did not refer to J. Caesar's name = could be because he did not want to remind the Romans about his father being a dictator - Augustus is not a dictator
  • In Res Gestae, he only included his achievements = it's reasonable that he didn't want to include his ancestors - he didn't want to take his spotlight

Referring to Caesar the man is not relevant anymore beause he has achieved successes as well - unlike the beginning of his career

Golden Age

He only introduced the idea of Golden Age in 17 BC

Carmen Saeculares

  • The Sibylline prophesies predicted that Rome will have the New Golden Age which was attained because they made the gods happy by performing moral practices

Pax Denarius

  • He depicted him as the bringer of peace by associating goddess Pax alongside him in the coin

He used the gods to present himself as the bringer of the peace and prosperity in order to legitimise his wars

There is a need for having wars, in order for Rome to benefit

  • they are backed by the gods, so the prosperity is a definite result for Rome

In order to achieve peace and prosperity, Romans must keep the gods happy by performing moral acts

Res Gestae 21

  • He diverted his focus about the new Golden Age back to his image of being the bringer of peace and prosperity to Rome through wars, and not morals

'I dedicated gifts from booty'

Res Gestae was written a year before his death, meaning that he could have determined that 8the Golden Age's end is near, so he did not need to focus on the idea of retaining the Golden Age

Golden Age was used in order for Augustus to secure his position as the leader of Rome
= if someone oppose him, the Golden Age will end

  • no one will assassinate him like how Caesar died

Galinsky

  • According to him, Golden Age was possible due to the moral effort done by the Romans and Augustus, making Augustus the catalyst of the golden age; thus, the Romans cannot oppose Augustus

Him as a good imperator

He needed to legitimise his wars

Peace through wars

Him supported by the gods

Ara Pacis

War and Peace

  • He persuaded the audience that Augustus and his army will be guided by the gods in order for them to win the 'war' against Parthia - ensures them that they will achieve prosperity through wars