The Age of Augustus I Res Gestae, architecture, and the Senate

Livia, Wife of Augustus

Augustus of Prima Porta

Augustus and the Roman EliteThe Senate Augustus checked opposition from the senate by reducing their number. As censor, he reduced their number from over 1000 to 600. He made the property qualification for being a senator over

1,000,000 sesterces. He also chose senators from underrepresented parts of Italy, even Gaul

and Spain. Old Senatorial families had died out or become impoverished. Municipal Administration

◦ Curators were stationed in Rome for the maintenance of roads and buildings. Provincial Administration

◦ Proconsuls◦ Legates - legati Augusti pro praetore

Advisory council formed, with Augustus, Agrippa, and 20 senators. Senate juries were established for trial courts.

◦ for major political crimes or◦ for crimes involving senators.

Equestrians became the professional civil service. ◦ Prefects over: Egypt, the praetorian guard, and grain supply at Ostia.◦ Procurators- tax collecting agents.◦ The Equestrians existed in emperor's provinces.◦ They were assisted by large staffs of the emperor's slaves and freedmen.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti – "The deeds of the divine Augustus"

What is the Res Gestae?First-person account of Augustus's successes

carved in stone on his mausoleum.Details his political career, his public

benefactions, and his military successes.What was the purpose of the Res Gestae?Its immediate purpose was to direct discussion

in the senate after his death and what people in the future would think of him.

There are four main divisions of the Res Gestae: Sections 1-14 (honores), Sections 15-25 (impensae), Sections 26-33 (res gestae) and Sections 34-35 (exempla virtutis & Pater Patriae).

The Altar of Peace (Ara Pacis)The Ara Pacis was commissioned in 13 BCE to

celebrate Augustus' triumphal return from wars in Spain.

Made of white marble, with intricate carved reliefs.

It emphasizes Augustus' pietas, his duty and devotion, to his family and to Rome.

The Altar of Peace (Ara Pacis) cont.

The Representations of family groups on the Ara Pacis are significant for their portrayal of Roman women in public alongside their male relatives.

The presence of the children reinforces the primary role of aristocratic women as wives and mothers.

The family groups also serve as propaganda for Augustus’ social legislation encouraging marriage and children among Rome’s upper class.

The Forum of Augustus

The Forum of Augustus cont.

On the eve of the battle of Philippi, in which Augustus "avenged" the death of Julius Caesar by defeating Brutus and Cassius, Augustus vowed to build a temple to Mars Ultor, the Avenger.

Probably begun in 20 BCE, it was not inaugurated until 2 BCE.

The Temple was flanked by two semicircular exedrae, which housed over a hundred portrait statues of Roman heros and leaders.

Pliny considered it to be one of the most beautiful structures the world had ever seen.

Illustrative of Augustus' agenda of self-aggrandizement through public architecture and monumental art.