Essay on Augustus
The personality of Roman Emperor Augustus seems to be one of the most outstanding in the entire humans’ history. He and his achievements became the subject of numerous scientific and scholar researches, however, it is still pretty difficult to give absolutely correct and comprehensive estimation of Augustus personality. In this paper, there is try to conduct some analysis, which will allow to learn the greatest achievements of the First Roman Emperor and to get objective picture about this historical figure. Appropriate research will be carried out on the basis of two readings – “Twelve Casers” by Suetonius’ and “Augustus: The Life of Rome’s First Emperor” by Anthony Everrit. It will help to draw the parallels in writers views to Augustus, and will contribute our understanding of real Augustus validity for history.
The first and the largest part of this assignment is dedicated to Augustus greatest achievements, which were quite hard to be picked out by the way. Contemporary and ancient works present us incredibly large list of Augustus’ successes. However, some objective examination allows to present the next four of them:
Military genius.
As we are able to learn, and as it proved by the history, Augustus’ was a truly outstanding military chief. Among his merits in appropriate field, the eight years Sicilian War is worth of special attention. Suetonius describes it as “the most dangerous campaign”, that was twice interrupted by two storms that wrecked the fleets and Pompeians’ success in cutting Augustus grain supply. After the hard victory there, the next significant point was turning Egypt into one Roman province, with further cleaning out of Nile Delta to increase province’s fertility. The suppression of revolts is the next page from the book of Augustus’ military glory. In this aspect, we can remind uprisings leaded by Varro Murena, Marcus Egnatius, Plautiius Rufus, Lucius Paulus etc. It is important to note that Suetonius’ made stresses to Emperor’s ability and talent to stifle a revolt in a bud, when it has not become too dangerous yet. As for conquers, the author reminds emperor’s victories in Cantabria, Aquitania, Pannonia, Dalmatia, and Alexandria. By listing all the military regalia of The First Emperor, Suetonius states that Augustus experienced only two serious losses, both in Germany.
Appropriate victories-failures ratio enables us to state that Augustus’ wars the greatest of his achievements. To emphasize this idea, the author refers to hardships that Emperor had to face, such as noted storms during Sicilian War, conflict with Mark Anthony, and mutiny among troops. At all the times the Emperor had enough strength to handle them. At last, we cannot leave aside reflected strength of military chief’s character expressed in Suetonius writings. In this regard, we may remind Augustus’ response to the news that his fleets were sunk at the times of Sicilian War: “I will win this war, even if Neptune does not want me to!” (Suetonius). It is clear that such quotes were used by writer to outline Augustus’ ability to go against the destiny and hardships, what impacts the general reader’s impression about his military genius a lot. In this way, Suetonius’ judgment looks absolutely clear, as it is all about admiration with endless conqueror’s courage and strength of mind.
Law and Order
The main criteria to call appropriate Augustus’ initiatives as the greatest of his achievements is political and social importance of appropriate field. Still, the main stresses here should be made to the quantity of reformations that were provided. The first point to address is Augustus’ measures against anti-social and dangerous tendencies that significantly endangered public order. In this aspect, Suetonius states that even after the Civil Wars, the society experienced large negative impact from criminals. The main threats were bandit parties and “workmen’s guilds”, that were created to commit all possible sorts of crimes in reality. This problem was solved through the law enforcement system tightening. The next to remind is the burning of Public Treasury, which was effectively used as a blackmail for raiding activities. As for judicial reformations, The First Emperor has established the fourth division of juries, impacted development of trial proceedings, and even established the appeal institution for foreigners, that was carried out by some particular ex-Consuls. Speaking about the law making activities, his main targets were the issues of extravagance, adultery, unchastity, bribery, and significant improvement of marriage institution. In this regard, he impacted much the social sphere’s law adjustment that became inherent part of Roman law subsequently.
Thinking about the Suetonius’ views on Augustus’ reformations in public order field and legislation, it can be said that the author makes significant stresses to radical character of The Emperor’s reformations. Still, the writer does not avoid the references to Augustus’ self-sacrifice in his innovative intentions: “Augustus proved assiduous in his administration of justice, often remaining in court until nightfall; and if he happened to be unwell, would have his litter carried out to the tribunal. Sometimes he even judged cases in from his sick-bed in his home” (Suetonius). Why these achievements are called significant? The answer is simple – no one society can exists without well-functioning legal systems and protected public order, as they play the role of irreplaceable features of prosperous civil society. In fact, Augustus became the first who established this axiom.
Governing system reformation.
According to historical sources, the times of Augustus are featured with the rise of Roman Empire. In large part, appropriate result was achieved through reformation of governing system, its liberalization and decentralization. Among these reformations Suetonius mentions reducing of Senatorial Order number, through pretty curious system of two new acts of enrolment; establishment of statutory interval between the conclusion of city magistracies and their holders’ departure to appointment abroad; increase of praetors numbers; the Treasury control transfer from city quaestors to ex-praetors or praetors; sharing governing duties to people through creating of new offices responsible for upkeep of public buildings, roads and aqueducts, distribution of grain to people etc..
In difference to previous parts, Suetonius avoids sentimentalism in his words about reformations. In addition, readers are not able to find some examples from The First Emperor life. Stating that reformations of governing system was one of the most significant of Augustus’ achievements, we still should remember about the concept of civil society. Appropriate transformations were inevitable to make the Roman Empire of Augustus’ times so strong and prospering as we know it from readings. It is all about the quality of relations between government and governed, with strong ties between them.
Territory and population.
Let’s repeat one more time that Suetonius did not consider some of Augustus’ achievements to be the greatest ones. In this way, the pick of them is extremely controversial issue that in largely relies to personal priorities of a writer. However, considering the common sense, we should recognize that territorial and population expanding of Roman Empire during Augustus’ governing is the bright example of success that he performed. For example, Augustus initiated the growth of Roman population through founding of twenty eight veteran colonies. Moreover, he became the innovator in the field of colonies citizens’ rights promotion. In this regard, the members of each local Senate we enabled to vote during election in City of Rome. In fact, Augustus carried out quite reasonable policy in the sphere of provinces administration. On the one hand, he was encouraged to take away independence from all provinces, which performed unreasonable policy, by changing their statuses from senatorial to imperial. On the other hand, he appreciated those provinces, which strictly kept City of Rome course by eliminating the public debts and even by vesting Latin rights or full citizenship. In addition, Suetonius mentions that Augustus always restored provinces he conquered. Frankly, the writer outlines the greatness of appropriate Emperor’s achievement by giving the detailed description of policy provided by Augustus. In this way, he tried to stress the genius and eccentricity of the great Emperor one more time. At last, the author find the roots of Augustus’ success in diligent and dedicated approach. Anthony Everitt presented next idea that is worth of our attention: “This had a hugely important consequence. It generated loyalty and gratitude to Rome. It made people feel that they were not victims of the empire, but its stakeholders. They were members of an imperial commonwealth. It was this shared consciousness that helped to bind Europe and the lands of the Mediterranean basin together for half a millennium and more. How many statesmen in human history can lay claim to such a record of enduring achievement?” (Everitt).
Drawing the parallels between Anthony Everitt’s and Suetonius’ views on Augustus’ personality and his achievements, there are both similar and different points. The similarities are found in recognition and respect to Emperor’s achievements in both works. However, even this part is different with the method to express appropriate idea. On the one hand, Suetonius takes the role of a promoter, who just intended to deify the personality of The First Emperor. On the hand, Anthony Everitt is more likely aimed to conduct a scientific research in contemporary understanding of this term. In this order, the scholar is able to generate reasonable conclusions. However, the general point is the same in both readings – Augustus is outstanding personality, whose achievements are not overestimated. As for Augustus’ personality, Suetonius does not allow himself critical thinking about Augustus. In his turn, Anthony Everitt is more decisive and bold. He does not present Augustus as a kind of a deity. The author states that Emperor was a kind person, who as everyone else had own weaknesses: “Augustus was a very great man, but he grew gradually into greatness. He did not posses Julius Caser’s bravura and political genius (it was genius of course, which killed Caser, for it made him incapable of compromise). He was a physical coward who taught himself to be brave. He was intelligent, painstaking, and patient, but also could be cruel and ruthless. He worked extraordinary hard. He thought in a long term, achieving his aims slowly and by trial and error” (Everitt). Herewith, Anthony Everitt is direct to mention the weaknesses and even strangeness of Augustus considering his references to Emperor’s flaws and sins. Appropriate approach to personality examining is dictated by the aim announced by Anthony Everitt in the beginning of his work: “Augustus himself is a shadowy figure. Many books have been written about his achievements, but they have tended to focus on the Augustus’ age, rather than on the man as he was. I place his story in his times and describe the events and personalities that affected him. Shipwrecks, human sacrifice, hairbreadth escapes, unbridled sex, battles on land and at sea, ambushes, family scandals, and above all the unforgiving pursuit of absolute power Augustus lived out an extraordinary and often terrifying drama. The stage is crowded with larger-than-life personalities…” (Everitt). Unfortunately, the scholar was not fully able to implement his intention according to his own confession, as only little amount of original sources were saved. One of them is Suetonius’ “Twelve Casers”. The style of narration presented in this reading may make us feel doubted whether the treaty is worth to be called credible and trustworthy historical source. Thinking about this issue, Anthony Everitt did not express significant differences in views on importance of Augustus’ achievements in comparison to Suetonius’. The distinguishes are traced in the deepness and comprehensiveness of made work. In addition, we should take into account that two writers had different goals – research on the one hand, and narration on another. In this regard, we have no reasonable ground to call “The twelve Casers” not trustworthy source.
Considering the results of conducted analysis, we are able to make some conclusions. The first of them is devoted to Augustus’ achievements. As it was learnt, “The Twelve Casers” and “The Life of Rome’s First Emperor” do not contain significant controversies in this part. Frankly, Suetonius’ became the source to Everitt, who concluded that The Great Emperor is “the founder of Western Civilization”. Insignificant differences in views are also determined by “wisdom of ages”, which Everitt had the chance to enjoy, in difference to ancient writer. As for Emperor’s personality, the distinguishes are more noticeable in writer’s views on Augustus’ personality. However, they do provide us the option to talk about not trustworthy origins of the sources. It is all about the methodology, volume of research, methods and aims that authors wanted to achieve with their writings. The final results appear to be pretty equal – the personality of Augustus’ and his heritage are hard to be under esteemed.
