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Carmen Seculare: 17 BC (You will never know anything mightier than Rome
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Carmen Seculare: 17 BC
The Carmen Seculare addresses various gods, praising their greatness and asking for blessings on the Roman people. The deities selected for inclusion each had some connection to Augustus himself or to his regime. For example, his patron god Apollo and Apollo's twin sister Diana feature as the addresses of the hymn.
You will never know anything mightier than Rome
Celebratory tone. Phoebus and Diana also feature on the cuirass of the Prima Porta. Augustus aligned himself with Apollo during this propaganda war with Mark Antony who identified with Dionysus.
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Now Faith and Peace, Honour and ancient Modesty, dare to return once more Secondly, the health and vitality is stressed in regards to the strength of Roman citizens' morals.
Parthians referenced- they returned the eagle standards lost to the Romans at Carrhae in 53BC when Crassus was defeated. Tiberius negotiated their return in 20BC, a huge diplomatic victory for Rome. Foreign nations fear Rome because she is so powerful.
Traditional morals restored assuring golden age of peace and plenty, the flowing horn is the cornucopia representing plentitude.
Venus features, in her role as the mother of Aeneas and the progenitor of the Julian clan. At first the presence of Ilithiya, a relatively minor goddess of childbirth is less explicable. However the reason for her inclusion is explained through a clear reference to Augustus' social and moral legislation, the Leges Juliae. Horace beseeches Ilithiya.
Goddess, nurture of offspring, bring to fruition the Senate's decrees concerning the wedlock of women who'll bear us more children, the laws of marriage. Clear reference to Venus and Augustus' social and moral legislation. Portrayed in her role as mother of Aeneas
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Games held every century- Secular. Once in a lifetime experience, extremely special.
As in previous poems, when speaking of Apollo Horace distinguishes between warlike Apollo and peaceful Apollo, perhaps as a veiled reference to the militaristic and civic versions of Augustus. Gentle and peaceful Apollo, lay down your arms.
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Adorn our Ceres with garlands Abundance and prosperity. This language of fertility reminds the audience of the Golden Age of peace and plenty that Augustus brought. Cere was the Roman equivalent of Greek Demeter- the goddess of harvest.
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Overall Thoughts
The health and vitality of present day Rome is stressed in the next section, both in terms of military strength and in terms of the strength of her citizens morals. The Carmen Seculare is clearly intended to be a celebration of Augustus' new age. The language of fertility reminds the audience of the Golden Age of peace and plenty that Augustus brought. References to religious and social reforms simultaneously remind the audience how they are expected to behave in Augustus' new world order.
Health and vitality of present day Rome is emphasised- firstly in the sense of military strength- Those for whom pious Aeneas, the survivor, who passed without injury through the flames of Troy
Celebrates the ancestor Aeneas who also feature in the Forum and on the Ara Pacis. The resilient Trojan, a worthy Roman hero embodying the Roman virtues
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Temple built to Apollo on the Palatine hill next to Augustus' own home. Asks for his favour in extending Rome's domains, ever increasing good fortune.