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Augustus Relations With The Senate, Equestrians & Ordinary People -…
Augustus Relations With The Senate, Equestrians & Ordinary People
Ordinary People
Augustus secured support of the plebs through financial generosity
Augustus gained positive relations with the ordinary people by repeatedly providing cash gifts and grain distributions
Res Gestae 15.1
Augustus claims that he gave the plebs 400 secretes on several occasions + distributed grain to over 250,000 citizens
This suggests the gifts directly improved the lifes of the Roman Plebs, many who relied on the state support and suffered from poverty
The scale of the donations Augustus provided suggests he understood political importance of keeping the ordinary people content. By presenting himself as a generous leader, he could build loyalty and reduce likelihood of unrest in society
However, The Res Gestae was written by Augustus himself and was intended to record his achievements, therefore it is likely to exaggerate his generosity and present his actions in the most favourable light
But, because the inscription was public and many Romans would've known if the gifts hadn't occurred, it is likely the donations are genuine
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Points
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Analysis
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Explain
Augustus gained popularity through public entertainment
Augustus strengthened his relationship with the plebs through an extensive program of public games and other entertainement
Res Gestae 22-23
Augustus lists gladiatorial games, wild beast hunts and public celebrations. Suetonius claims that no Roman magistrate had ever provided such magnificent spectacles
These strengthened Augustus' relations with the ordinary people as it provided free enjoyment for the Romans, and also demonstrated Augustus' generosity and wealth
These entertainments helped shape an image of a new golden age after decades of unrest and civil war in Rome. it also could be argued that the games distracted attention from the reality that political participation was declining under Augustus
However the Res Gestae is biased because Augustus is recording his own success, furthermore Suetonius, while writing around a century later was not a witness to Augustus' reign, however his access to imperial archives and earlier sources improves his reliability.
Consequently Augustus maintained good relations with the people by combining peace and entertainment.
Augustus Presented Himself As the Protector Of Rome During Crises
Augustus strengthened popular support by portraying himself as the one who solved Romes problems
Res Gestae 5.1-2
Augustus claims he ended a severe grain shortage and refused dictatorship when offered to him
Food shortages could easily lead to riots and instability in Rome, so by Augustus solving the crises, he appeared integral to the plebs
Augustus uses the source to portray himself as a servant of the state rather than a dictator
But as Augustus wrote the Res Gestae himself, he has every reason to emphasise the refusal of extraordinary powers, to present himself as modest. Therefore the source cannot be taken fully at face value because it could be seen as political propaganda
Nevertheless the fact that Augustus repeatedly mentions his refusal of dictatorship suggest she understood Roman fears of monarchy and wishes to reassure the public
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Augustus improved the lives of ordinary Romans through public works
Augustus undertook extensive building and infrastructure projects throughout Rome
Suetonius 30
Augustus organised night watchmen to prevent fires
Cleared the river tiber
repaired roads and improved city access
Res Gestae 17.1
Augustus claims he repeatedly contributed money from personal funds to public finances
Large scale building projects provided work for many plebians while also transforming the city
These project improved public sanitation and employment opportunities, this demonstrated Augustus' commitment to Rome
Suetonius is reliable for recording administrative works, though he sometimes includes anecdotes and sensationalises scandal.
The Res Gestae is reliable for confirming that Augustus funded public works, but is biased as it is created by Augustus, and therefore likely to exaggerate personal generosity. However Both Sources are reasonably reliable for identifying the actions, but not for assessing the scale, or the motivation of the actions
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Equestrians
Augustus elevated the status of the equestrians class
Augustus created numerous administrative positions for the equestrians, which gave them opportunities that were unavailable during most of the republic
Suetonius 37
Augustus created new administrative offices, which let equestrians fill important state roles
Tacitus 6.10-11
Augustus trusted Maecenas, an equestrian with the administration of Rome and italy
This shows that the creation of these positions gave equestrians increased influence and trust, additionally Augustus benefitted because the equestrians were dependant on him for promotion, so were more likely to stay loyal unlike senators
The sources suggest that equestrians became important administrative class that helped Augustus govern the empire
Both Tacitus and Suetonius acknowledge the important role played by the equestrian class, although Tacitus is critical of emperors usually, and he confirmed the high levels of trust Augustus placed in equestrian order.
Consequently this shows Augustus strengthened the relations with the equestrians by offering them status, careers and influence
Augustus trusted equestrians with strategically important responsibilities
Augustus gave equestrians positions that carried authority and wealth
Senate
Augustus reformed the Senate to improve prestige and control its members
The Senate had become overcrowded and needed a reform after the civil wars
Suetonius 35
Over 1000 Senators reduced to 600
Multiple Senatorial Reviews
The reforms restored dignity in the senate, but also allowed Augustus to control its members
this shows that the senators perhaps owed their position to Augustus, which fixated his influence
Suetonius is fairly reliable for acknowledging these reforms, as they were long lasting and public. though he may exaggerate dramatic details, such as Augustus' fear of assassination, however overall the main information is reliable.
The reform improved senatorial quality while increasing Augustus' control over them too
Augustus supported the elite senatorial families financially
Augustus acted as a patroon to senatorial families to sustain their status
Tacitus 2.27
Augustus gave Marcus Hortalus 1 milion sesterces
Macrobius Saturnalia 2.4.23
Augustus paid of 4 million sesterces in debt for a senator
These acts ensured loyalty from influential families
This suggests financial support reinforced Augustus' dominance through patronage relations.
Tacitus is usually reliable for senatorial traditions, and criticisms of imperialism, though he is biased against emperors.
Macrobius writes centuries later and is less reliable for factual accuracy, but he is useful for showing how Augustus was remembered,
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Augustus preserved Republican forms while controlling power
Augustus avoided the title of monarchy by keeping traditional institutions
Res Gestae 5.1-2
Augustus Refused Dictatorship
Claims to act within Roman Custom
Tacitus 1.3
Magistrates retained traditional titles
The sources suggest that Republican appearance helped avoid opposition, while the real power secretly shifted to Augustus
These actions preserved senatorial dignity, while solidifying Augustus authority
The Res Gestae is highly biased but reliable for Augustus' public claims, though Tacitus is more critical but still writes long after the events took place, reflecting later senatorial interpretation
Both are partially reliable, Augustus for propaganda and Tacitus for critique, but both do not fully frame the reality in politics alone
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