The First Emperor of Rome
Octavian was a man larger than life. He was a multifaceted man destined to lead from an early age. The most difficult part about studying this man is accepting that he can 't be fully understood. He was complex, and it is often tricky to discern the exact motivations behind his actions. His leadership style was clever and fresh and was integral in the reshaping of Rome to his liking. This method of leadership was unquestionably intertwined with who he was as a person. While his persona, how he interacted with and was seen by his people, underwent transitional periods, his personality remained constant. The path that lead him to be Rome 's first emperor was rough and not without errors, but through it all, he upheld
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This title, loosely translating to “the illumined one”, was Augustus. From that point, he was known as Imperator Caesar Augustus Divi Filius. This change of name was radical for a number of reasons. First, Imperator means “victorious leader”. Using this as a first name is essentially the definition of propaganda. Next, Caesar, a name used by his father, was recycled to become more of a distinctive title. Divi Filius means “son of the deified”, a reference to his now holy father (*). The entirety of this name change defined what Octavian (Augustus) thought of himself, and what he desired the Roman people to think. He was great, grand, and the start of something …show more content…
This time is referred to as both Pax Romana and The Augustan Age (*) His policies focused on construction, expansion, and the propagation of his image. The Augustus Prima Porta, a statue of the emperor fresh from battle, is a primary example of the type of work Augustus used to keep the idea of “victorious leader” in everyone 's mind (*). It conveys strength and confidence in battle, and was distributed throughout the empire. The process of implementing the system of government by an emperor that came to dominate Rome for hundreds of years didn 't happen overnight. Augustus worked diligently during the first years after the civil wars to make Rome great. His imperial conquests doubled the land mass of Rome. He used wealth taken from Cleopatra after her defeat to compensate his multitude of soldiers, keeping them happy and loyal. The city of Rome itself also underwent a massive overhaul. By the year 14 CE, the empire was large, stable, and at peace. Augustus died at the ripe old age of 71. Suetonius records the following about his final
Augustus officially brought Rome into imperial status. Julius Caesar climbed the governmental ladder and ended up as the consul and eventually, dictator for life. When he was killed, all hope for the Roman Republic to be cured and survive was lost. By killing him, the senators ensured that the Roman Republic would either fall or continue to be corrupted. Had Julius Caesar not been killed, the Roman Republic could have been revived and cured of corruption, and the Roman Empire might never have existed.
The Res Gestae Divi Augusti is Caesar Augustus’ autobiography in which he describes his life in a way that portrays him in exactly the way he wants to be seen. It exemplifies all of the traits that were admired and desired about the old republic. This non accidental portrayal of himself that made him into the perfect example of what the old roman republic was, and what people wanted to replicate about it, actually turned him into one of the most empiric figures of all time, moving the Romans away from a republic and towards an empire.
30 BC ~ Octavian was given the title of Imperator, which was used in the Eastern provinces. Imperium suggests unlimited imperium (or power) (Antiquity 2 Interpreting The Past) This was the first of many titles that were to be given to Octavian after his defeat of Mark Antony in 31 BC at the Battle of Actium. It indicates that the provinces thought Octavian was worthy of being honoured, and that the power he possessed at the time should remain his. Therefore this was the first factor that initiated the rise of Octavian.
Augustus felt the need to expand territorial boundaries in order to restore order and long-lasting security to the empire. New improvisations had been created during the civil war, and could not, therefore, be disregarded during the work of restoration. Such initiatives included a permanent army under the leadership of Augustus, with Augustus himself as chief commander. His position gave him power to rule over Rome.
In 27 BC, Augustus became the first emperor of Rome, thus creating a strong leader figure, which could shape and mold the Republic system into what was best for the empire or themselves. During the reign of the emperors, the political policies for Rome would vary according to, which emperor was in power. Not only were politics shaky, but also there never was a clear-cut method of succession for the man who controlled those politics. Rome had created the position of emperor in hopes that men like Augustus would continue to lead her into prosperity, however the office of emperor struggled in attempting to find great men to lead Rome. The office never truly evolved into something greater than when it had been created, but rather the office varied according to the personality of the man in the position.
...4 AD, one month away from his 76th birthday. Augustus’s ultimate legacy was the peace and prosperity the empire was to enjoy for the next two centuries under the system he started. Augustus’s patience and his tact all played a part in re-establishing Rome and directing the future of the empire down many lasting paths.
As the story goes, Rome was founding in 753 B.C. by two brothers Remus and Romulus who were raised by wolves. The two brothers started fighting over the leadership of the land. Eventually Romulus killed Remus and took control own his own. The city was only a small settlement at that time. As the civilization grew, the Etruscans took over. The Romans drove out the Etruscans in 509 B.C. By this time Rome had become a city. As the empire came to its peak it included lands throughout the Mediterranean world. Rome had first expanded into other parts of Italy and neighboring places during the Roman Republic, but made wider conquests and made a strong political power for these lands. In 44 BC Gaius Julius Caesar, the Roman leader who ruled the Roman Republic as a dictator was assassinated. Rome descended into more than ten years of civil war. After years of civil war, Caesar's heir Gaius Octavius (also known as Octavian) defeated his last rivals. In 27 B.C. the Senate gave him the name Augustus, meaning the exalted or holy one. In this way Augustus established the monarchy that became known as the Roman Empire. The Roman Republic, which lasted nearly 500 years, did not exist anymore. The emperor Augustus reigned from 27 BC to AD 14 and ruled with great power. He had reestabl...
His fourteen-year reign represented everything decadent about the Julio-Claudian period of the Roman Empire. His self-indulgent, cruel and violent affairs continued the economic chaos that had plagued the Roman citizenry since the days of Tiberius (Champlin, 1990). In the first five years as emperor, Nero gained a reputation for political generosity, promoting power sharing with the Senate and ending closed-door political trails. However, he generally pursued his own passions and left the ruling to his three key advisers – the Stoic Philosopher Seneca, the prefect Burrus and Nero’s mother Agrippina (Armstrong, 2012). Nero was a reckless and selfish adolescent when he ascended to Emperor, as highlighted by Suetonius within his historical scripture, ‘The Twelve
Augustus needed to legitimize his powers. He did this by handing back his powers to the senate and the people of Rome. The senate protested, and voted to give Augustus the powers of proconsul imperium over provinces that needed military defence as well as make him consul. As these powers were given by the senate and the people, they were
Augustus Caesar was very ambitious leader. He is best known for bringing peace to Rome. Augustus was considered the first great roman emperor, because He didn’t care about wealth and fortune. Augustus cared about the people of Rome. He was a great military leader and was successful in most of his missions. He showed people that being a good ruler requires a lot of hard work and dedication. He was a very generous man. Augustus was greatly admired by the Roman people.
Octavian, or Caesar Augustus, was an effective ruler, implementing reforms that positively affected virtually all areas of life throughout the Empire. Social, economic, and political tensions that had led to so much violence in earlier years were calmed by Augustus's policies. Corruption and abuses of the people were also given attention by the Emperor. The borders of the Roman Empire grew dramatically under Augustus's rule, adding material wealth and manpower to Rome's already significant resources.
Gaius Julius Caesar, born 100 B.C.E. in Rome to the impoverished patrician Julian Clan, knew controversy at an early age. Nephew to Populare Gaius Marius, he was earmarked by the Optimate dictator Sulla for prosciption after his refusal to divorce his Populare wife, Cinna. Fleeing Rome, and not returning until after Sulla’s resignation in 78 B.C.E, upon his return he gained a position as a pontificate, an important Roman priesthood. Slowly but surely throughout his lifetime he worked his way up the political ladder, eventually becoming Consul, and finally Dictator Perpeteus – Dictator for life. One of the most influential political and military leaders of all time, Caesar was also a highly intelligent man and an exceptional orator. However, acquiring this absolute power was no mean feat, and Caesar had well equipped himself through previous expeditions with all the resources necessary to gain power in Ancient Rome.
...tablish the principate, where he established several legates to help govern the expanding empire. The system allowed the Emperor to remain in control, but also step away and allow others to take the lead if need be. Had Augustus not set this new form of government into play, Rome would have been torn apart several years before the fall of the Empire. His form of government proved strong enough to support the likes of Caligula and Tiberius, who was more concerned with his special interest museum than being Emperor.
Julius Caesar was a strong leader of the Romans who changed the course of the history for the Roman world decisively and irreversibly. With his courage and strength, he created a strong empire and guided the empire for almost 20 years. His life was short, but had many adventures. I will tell of some of this man’s remarkable life. He did many things, therefore, I will only discuss a few. His name, part of his reign, one of his greatest battles, and his death will be told.
Here, we will be looking at a rendition of the high marble statue of Augustus Caesar known as “Augustus of Prima Porta.” Originating from 1st Century A.D., it is said that there is a possibility that the original sculpture could have been of greek descent. Upon a general overview of the sculpture, one can see that Augustus fulfils a millitarial role of some kind. From his very stance to the garments portrayed on him, Augustus is draped in a decorative cuirass and a tunic, accompanied by a figure of Cupid clutching on to his right calf. After taking the general themes of the work into account, one can then began to start unraveling the many symbolic elements embedded into the sculpture that allude to godly themes. Starting from the crown of his head, the very chiselment and structure of his face gives the work a youthful element to it, even though some say that Augustus was around 40 years old. A recurring theme within Greek and Roman culture is the matter of godliness and immortality amongst idolized figures themselves. This idea is usually depicted by displaying powerful human being in a younger light. This