Impact of the death of Caesar
Government of Rome, under the republic:
⇒ Senate governed Rome
⇒ Corsus Honorum- political ladder of offices
Consul
→
Praetor
→ Political offices voted for by public
Aedile
→
Quaestor
→
Army services- 10 years
Impact on Octavian:
• Treated him like a son, groomed him as heir, military experience
• Danger to O after death, assassinated for his dictatorial behaviour
• When he found out, he didn’t go to Rome straight away (danger) wen to Italy
• In will, O had been named heir
• A.H.M jones- no danger to Oct only wanted to rid Rome of Caesar
• Return to Rome for inheritance
• Reinforced position by raising two legions (5000 each)- veterans of retired Caesar, loyalty and closeness. Needs to match to C and show why C made him heir (prove himself)
• We don’t know how he was feeling, but though that ‘a furious hatred for the murderers of his beloved… great uncle’. When he was heir must have a duty of vengeance
• Felt robbed of the hopes of a career under C patronage
• As Caesar’s son he commanded support from soldiers and veterans
• Frosty reception from Antony, who denied access to C fortune. O borrowed money to pay off C bequest to the Roman people and celebrate games → increase pop.
• Filial piety = loyalty to father, family and ancestors
• The games coinage with image of comet which confirms Caesar’s divine status → made Oct ‘divus filius’ → son of god
Impact on Rome:
• Upset, C was pop by Rome
• Initially calm, C assassins expected normal government to resume. Antony and Marcus Lepidus remained untouched
• Assassins perceived him as dictator and threat to republic. After Rome was sent into turmoil for murdered, who had no future plans and though death would lead to restorations of the republic
• David Shotter- meant little more than the nobility would be free to resume their self- indulgent lifestyle
• Left a