Podcast
Questions and Answers
What power did Augustus gain every year that gave him personal inviolability?
What power did Augustus gain every year that gave him personal inviolability?
- Imperial mandate
- Tribunicia potestas (correct)
- Sovereign authority
- Dictatorial power
What title was Augustus given in 2 BC that reinforced his status?
What title was Augustus given in 2 BC that reinforced his status?
- Consul
- Imperator
- Pontifex Maximus
- Pater patriae (correct)
How did Augustus present himself in the political arena of Rome?
How did Augustus present himself in the political arena of Rome?
- Supreme dictator
- Ruler by divine right
- Primus inter pares (correct)
- Absolute monarch
What was a significant evolution of Augustus's regime over time?
What was a significant evolution of Augustus's regime over time?
What role did Augustus hold that made him the supreme religious leader of Rome?
What role did Augustus hold that made him the supreme religious leader of Rome?
What does the title 'Augustus' primarily evoke in terms of its significance?
What does the title 'Augustus' primarily evoke in terms of its significance?
What are the three main elements Octavian combined to sustain his power?
What are the three main elements Octavian combined to sustain his power?
How did Octavian enhance his political power over other leaders?
How did Octavian enhance his political power over other leaders?
What title did Octavian claim that indicated his military authority?
What title did Octavian claim that indicated his military authority?
What did the self-proclamation as supreme commander signify for Octavian?
What did the self-proclamation as supreme commander signify for Octavian?
Flashcards
Tribunicia Potestas
Tribunicia Potestas
The power of the tribunes of the plebs, allowing the holder to veto legislation and enjoy personal inviolability.
Pontifex Maximus
Pontifex Maximus
Chief priest of Rome, holding the highest religious authority.
Pater Patriae
Pater Patriae
A title signifying the leader as the 'father of the country', bestowing great respect and authority.
Primus Inter Pares
Primus Inter Pares
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Principate
Principate
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What is Augustus?
What is Augustus?
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What does "augere" mean?
What does "augere" mean?
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Explain "imperium" in Roman politics.
Explain "imperium" in Roman politics.
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What is 'Imperator', and what does it signify for Octavian?
What is 'Imperator', and what does it signify for Octavian?
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How did Octavian use auctoritas?
How did Octavian use auctoritas?
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Study Notes
Augustan Principate
- Augustus received tribunicia potestas annually, giving him the power of tribunes.
- He also inherited the authority of the Roman plebs, gaining legislative and judicial power.
- Augustus's power was solidified through his long leadership, further consolidating his positions.
- He became Pontifex Maximus in 12 BCE, further cementing his religious role.
- By 14 CE, Augustus had held the consulship for 13 years.
- Augustus became a pivotal figure, becoming a patriarch and a model for moral conduct and a figure for the future.
- He was considered the first emperor, ushering in a new era of Roman political and social organization in the Roman Empire.
Political Structure
- The transition to the principate, though presenting a new system of authority, maintained elements of the Roman republic.
- Augustus used the term princeps ("first among equals") to describe his leadership, but his power was fundamentally autocratic in nature.
- The term 'regimen' (from the Latin 'regimen', meaning 'government, administration') indicated that the political structure was more of a monarchy.
- Some republican practices still existed alongside the new political order of the empire.
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Description
Explore the transformative era of the Augustan Principate, where Augustus consolidated power and established a new political structure in Rome. This quiz covers key aspects of his authority, roles, and the characteristics that defined his reign as the first emperor. Understand the balance between autocracy and republican elements during this pivotal time in Roman history.
