Vergil, the Aeneid, and Augustus An Introduction

Foundation A long time ago in a country pretty far away…

Alba Longa  Rome

Monarchy I. Romulus II. Numa Pompilius III. Tullus Hostilius IV. Ancus Marcius

Etruscans -Tarquinius Priscus -Servius Tullius -Tarquinius Superbus

The Roman Republic 509 BC 509 BC 2 consuls: Brutus and Collatinus 2 consuls: Brutus and Collatinus

Conflicts with Carthage BC BC BC BC BC BC

Mediterranean Domination

Marius and Sulla - Marius’ lieutenant - optimas - Consul 88 BC - Dictator Huge Reforms The Fight The senate gave a command to Sulla, but the people’s assembly gave the command to Marius - Consul 7 times - One of Rome’s best generals - popularis - Reformed military eligibility

Marius and Sulla - Initiates the downfall of the Roman Republic - Initiates the downfall of the Roman Republic - Marius’ new policy of using the capite censi - Marius’ new policy of using the capite censi switches soldiers’ loyalties. - Generals have private armies. - Generals have private armies. - Settling veterans an issue. - Settling veterans an issue. - Rise of the Tribune as a political power creates political problems. - Rise of the Tribune as a political power creates political problems. - Sulla’s march on Rome and proscriptions set a precedent. - Sulla’s march on Rome and proscriptions set a precedent.

Julius Caesar *100 BC – 44 BC *Consul in 59 BC *War in Gaul (59-51)

First Triumvirate 60 BC – 53 BC 60 BC – 53 BC Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar

Civil War - Caesar has a massive army in Gaul - Caesar has a massive army in Gaul - Senate becomes very concerned that Caesar will use his army to get whatever he wants - Senate becomes very concerned that Caesar will use his army to get whatever he wants

Civil War -Caesar’s daughter and Pompey’s wife, Julia, dies -Crassus is defeated at Carrhae fighting the Parthians -Pompey becomes leader of the Senate, who use him to get at Caesar

Civil War – Caesar’s Rubicon - Caesar’s imperium expires in 48 BCE, and he wants to run for consul again in absentia. - Caesar’s imperium expires in 48 BCE, and he wants to run for consul again in absentia. - He knows, if he leaves his province and comes back to Rome as a private citizen, he’ll be put on trial by his enemies. IMAGE:

Civil War - Caesar’s Rubicon - The Senate, led by Pompey, reject Caesar’s request to run for the consulship in absentia. - The Senate, led by Pompey, reject Caesar’s request to run for the consulship in absentia. - Caesar crosses the northern boundary of Italia, the Rubicon, and thus declares civil war. IMAGE:

Civil War - Pompey and the Senate flee Rome immediately. - Pompey and the Senate flee Rome immediately. - Caesar installs himself as Dictator and fills - Caesar installs himself as Dictator and fills the Senate with his allies and supporters. - Caesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus in - Caesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus in 48 BCE. - Caesar is elected Dictator Perpetuus in - Caesar is elected Dictator Perpetuus in February, 44 BCE.

Dictator and Death

Rise of Octavian - Born in 63 BC - Caesar’s grand-nephew - Declared Caesar’s chief heir (3/5 of Caesar’s legacy)

Octavian and Antony - Octavian has to mitigate Antony’s influence by - Octavian has to mitigate Antony’s influence by a) discrediting Antony (rumor) b) obtaining the money Caesar left to him c) obtaining legions

Octavian and Antony Battle of Mutina (April 21 st, 43 BC) Battle of Mutina (April 21 st, 43 BC) - Octavian fights on behalf of the consuls (Hirtius and Pansa) - Antony fights against the consuls - Octavian and consuls win, although both consuls die in the process - Octavian is elected consul and obtains their legions

Second Triumvirate Triumviri ad rem publicam reconstituendam - Created in 43 BCE to deal with the conspirators - Brutus, Cassius, and others are defeated at Philippi in 42 BCE - Triumvirs don’t have much money, so they rely on proscriptions (like Sulla).

Antony takes Gaul, and the East Octavian takes Spain, Africa, Sardinia, Sicilia 42 BCE – after original triumviral organization and Philippi

Second Triumvirate After Philippi, the two met at Brundisium for battle (Octavian stole some more legions from Antony), but their troops refused to fight, so they renewed the triumvirate for another five years (37 BC).

Second Triumvirate The good feelings don’t last: - Octavian defeats Sextus Pompeius at Naulochus (gains military glory) - Octavian defeats Sextus Pompeius at Naulochus (gains military glory) - Lepidus is relieved of his power and sent back to Rome (for treachery against Octavian) - Lepidus is relieved of his power and sent back to Rome (for treachery against Octavian) - Octavian sends Octavia to pay a visit to Antony (and Cleopatra) in Egypt - Octavian sends Octavia to pay a visit to Antony (and Cleopatra) in Egypt

Antony goes Rogue - Although married to Octavia (Octavian’s sister), Antony openly couples with Cleopatra, who bears him three children - Antony holds a Roman military triumph over Armenia/Parthia in Egypt - Antony holds a Roman military triumph over Armenia/Parthia in Egypt - Donations of Alexandria - Donations of Alexandria

Donations of Alexandria Antony gives… Antony gives… - Parthia to Alexander Helios - Parthia to Alexander Helios - Syria and Asia Minor to Ptolomy Philodelphus - Syria and Asia Minor to Ptolomy Philodelphus - Cyrenaica and Crete to Cleopatra Selene - Cyrenaica and Crete to Cleopatra Selene Antony declares… - that Caesarion/Ptolomy Caesar is the legitimate son of Julius Caesar - that Caesarion/Ptolomy Caesar is the legitimate son of Julius Caesar - that Caesarion/Ptolomy Caesar is “King of Kings” and Cleopatra is “Queen of Queens” - that Caesarion/Ptolomy Caesar is “King of Kings” and Cleopatra is “Queen of Queens”

Octavian Provokes War - Octavian spreads word of the Donations at Rome - Octavian spreads word of the Donations at Rome - The new consuls of 33 verbally challenge Octavian, who responds by bringing soldiers into Rome senators flee to Antony - The new consuls of 33 verbally challenge Octavian, who responds by bringing soldiers into Rome senators flee to Antony - Octavian reads Antony’s will out to the Senate - Octavian reads Antony’s will out to the Senate

Civil War - Antony and Cleopatra are defeated at the Battle of Actium by Octavian and his general Marcus Agrippa in 31 BCE. - In 32 BCE, Antony divorces Octavia. - Octavian declares war on Cleopatra and Antony in 32 BC.

IMAGE:

Aftermath of Actium - Antony and Cleopatra flee to Alexandria and commit suicide. - Antony and Cleopatra flee to Alexandria and commit suicide. - Octavian annexes Egypt (and all its wealth) as a Roman province. - Octavian annexes Egypt (and all its wealth) as a Roman province. - Octavian returns to Rome in August of - Octavian returns to Rome in August of 30 BCE.

Octavian in Rome - 36 BC: Senate votes Octavian a residence on the Palatine - 36 BC: Senate votes Octavian a residence on the Palatine - 33 BC: Agrippa’s aedileship brings rebuilding of the water supply, one new aqueduct, fountains, a bath complex, and millions of dollars in gifts to all Roman citizens - 33 BC: Agrippa’s aedileship brings rebuilding of the water supply, one new aqueduct, fountains, a bath complex, and millions of dollars in gifts to all Roman citizens - 29 BC: celebrates a triple triumph (Dalmatia, Actium, Alexandria) - 29 BC: celebrates a triple triumph (Dalmatia, Actium, Alexandria) - 28 BC: Augustus and Agrippa annul the acts of the Triumvirs - 28 BC: Augustus and Agrippa annul the acts of the Triumvirs

Octavian in Rome - Octavian perpetuates his personal mythology (Atia, Nigidius, Cicero, Catulus) - Octavian perpetuates his personal mythology (Atia, Nigidius, Cicero, Catulus) - 28 BC: The Temple of Apollo opens - 28 BC: The Temple of Apollo opens - Rebuilds a new Curia Julia - Rebuilds a new Curia Julia - Builds a Temple of the Divine Julius Caesar - Builds a Temple of the Divine Julius Caesar - Rebuilds the Rostra with “beaks” from Actium - Rebuilds the Rostra with “beaks” from Actium

Octavian’s Settlement - On the Ides of January, 27 BCE, he returns all power back to the Senate. - The Senate responds by begging him to take it all back. - The Senate responds by begging him to take it all back. - Octavian is given: - Octavian is given: a. the cognomen Augustus b. the “province” of Spain, Gaul, and Syria (and its accompanying 20 legions) c. imperial review over every other province d. laurel and oak on his home’s doorpost e. a golden shield in the curia for his valor, clemency, justice, and piety

Augustus Princeps Ruled from 27 BC – 14 AD - - Expansion - - Building - - Establish an heir

Pax Augustana Building Program Restores 82 Temples Temple of Apollo and Palatine Campus Martius (Theater of Marcellus, Porticus Octaviae, Saepta Julia, Ara Pacis, and Mausoleum of Augustus) Forum Romanum (Jupiter Tonans, Aureum Millearium) Forum of Augustus and Temple of Mars Ultor

Pax Augustana Moral Program and mos maiorum Tax breaks and exemptions for married, multiple children, etc. All Patrician males must be married Aeneid taught to school children (replaces Ennius’ Annales) Ludi Saeculares

Pax Augustana Literary Program Horace: Odes, Epodes, Carmen Saeculare Propertius: Elegies Tibullus: Elegies Livy: Ab urbe condita Vergil: Eclogues, Georgics, Aeneid