Transcript SP1a: The Impact of the death of Augustus

Who will we be looking at? The JULIO CLAUDIANS
 Tiberius 14 -37 A.D
 Gaius Germanicus (Caligula)
37-41 A.D
 Claudius 41-54 A.D
 Nero 54 – 68 A.D
 Year of the 4 Emperors 69 A.D
JULIAN & CLAUDIAN
The Impact of the death of
Augustus
HISTORICAL PERIOD:
THE JULIO-CLAUDIANS
What is the PRINCIPATE?
 “princeps” - “princeps civitatis”
 Effort by emperors (at least in the beginning) to
preserve the illusion of the formal continuance of the
Roman Empire and the features of a republic.
 Handout – changing role of the principate
Augustus
 Died an old man – 76
 Long reign –27BC – AD14
 Death - AD14
 Principate
“I found Rome a city of bricks and left
it a city of marble.”
 Some of the concerns that would
have faced him include:



Technically a republic not monarchy
Legitimate heir
When to announce the succession
Republic not a monarchy
 Once Augustus had secured his position in Rome, he constantly
declared that he had restored the Republic.
 However, Augustus was bestowed with many titles, but the ones that
wielded him the most power were


princeps senatus – right to speak first in the senate
princeps civitatis – first citizen in the Roman state; no powers BUT implied
supremacy and authority.
 Powers of Augustus
 “proconsular maius imperium”
 “tribunicia potestas”
 If Augustus had in fact restored the republic, then in a republic there
are no hereditary titles or positions. To announce a successor would
imply not a republic but a monarchy or dictatorship – The empire
WAS NOT HEREDITARY
Legitimate heir

Augustus concerned about what would
happen to Rome after his death and
wished to appoint someone to follow in
his stead and ensure a strong Roman
Empire.
m

He laid his hopes in grandsons, nephews,
adopted sons – however they all died–
illness, wounds, battle.
Caius
Caesar (died
4AD)
Augustus
(died 14AD)
Livia
Julia
Tiberius
Claudius
Nero
Lucius
Caesar (died
2AD)
Agrippa
Postmus
(died 14AD)
Nero
Claudius
Drusus
Announcing the successor
 Careful to keep the Senate on
his side – did not ‘announce’ a
successor
 Did not ‘announce’ but
transferred powers of tribune
and proconsul while he was
still alive.
 Therefore, when Augustus
died, the new emperor would
already hold the important
offices to guarantee a smooth
transition of power.
 Over time, and the memories
of the Republic faded would
fade and it would be taken for
granted that the emperor's
son or chosen successor
should be the next emperor,
even if he did not already hold
the appropriate powers.
Accession of Tiberius
 Powers transferred to
Tiberius while Augustus
was still alive
 Tribunicia Potestas
 Consulare Postestas
 Maius Imperium
 Pontifex Maximus
“He then chose Marcus
Agrippa to be his associate
in this power, and on
Agrippa’s death, Tiberius
Nero, that there might be
no uncertainity as to the
succession.”
Tacitus 3.56
Tiberius as Princeps
 Long reign AD14 – AD37
 Absence of power – explosion of
 Retired from Rome often
treason trials, increased power of
non-imperials (prefect of the
Praetorian Guard Sejanus)
 Concerned with military affairs
 Public image (differed form
Augustus)
 Before becoming princeps


6BC – self imposed exile to Rome
(recalled by Augustus AD4)
During his reign to the island of
Capri – palace on the hills
 Why?



Did not spend money on
public games, building
projects
Not fulfilling role as patron
of Rome
Increased visibility of the
Praetorian Guard