The Augustan Age Study Notes
The Augustan Age 44BC-AD14
Impact of Caesars death, Early Career of Octavian, Second Triumvirate and Civil War * Caesars death left a power vacuum. This was a split in the population politics were divided into: The Roman Republic (Cicero), the Neutrals (people avoiding war), Caesars men (Marc Antony). * Caesars will, made Octavian heir to ¾ of his estate and was now formally adopted as his son who went by the name: Gaius Julius Caesar. “It seems likeliest that Antonius had been irritated at Caesar’s favouritism towards an obscure young relative and acted out in a bad temper”- Jones, pg 14 * Octavian’s grandmother Julia was directly related to Julius Caesar. Caesar was Octavian’s great uncle. Octavian idolised Caesar. Since Caesar did not have son his interest fell upon Octavian. * 52BC following the death of his grandmother Julia, aged 11, Octavian being the only male descendent had to give funeral prayers which allowed him to improve his reputation and virtues and allow him opportunities in a political career. * Octavian viewed over games with Caesar where the people first began to grow fond of him. This was due to the Romans great love for these games. * The second triumvirate was formally passed by magistrates during November 43BC. It consisted of the following three leaders: Octavian, Marc Antony, Lepidus. * Through the triumvirate the western provinces were divided: * Octavian: Africa, Sicily, Sardinia * Antony: Transalpine, Cisalpine, Gaul * Lepidus: Spain, Gaul * The triumvirates carried out many proscriptions (killing of opponents) which resulted in the death of 2000 equestrians who wealth was used to pay for legions and 300 senators and the republican leader, Cicero. This greatly weakened the republican traditions. * 40BC Antony’s relationship with Octavian became strained due to misunderstandings which almost resulted in civil war. However on October 40 the Treaty of Brundism was reached
Impact of Caesars death, Early Career of Octavian, Second Triumvirate and Civil War * Caesars death left a power vacuum. This was a split in the population politics were divided into: The Roman Republic (Cicero), the Neutrals (people avoiding war), Caesars men (Marc Antony). * Caesars will, made Octavian heir to ¾ of his estate and was now formally adopted as his son who went by the name: Gaius Julius Caesar. “It seems likeliest that Antonius had been irritated at Caesar’s favouritism towards an obscure young relative and acted out in a bad temper”- Jones, pg 14 * Octavian’s grandmother Julia was directly related to Julius Caesar. Caesar was Octavian’s great uncle. Octavian idolised Caesar. Since Caesar did not have son his interest fell upon Octavian. * 52BC following the death of his grandmother Julia, aged 11, Octavian being the only male descendent had to give funeral prayers which allowed him to improve his reputation and virtues and allow him opportunities in a political career. * Octavian viewed over games with Caesar where the people first began to grow fond of him. This was due to the Romans great love for these games. * The second triumvirate was formally passed by magistrates during November 43BC. It consisted of the following three leaders: Octavian, Marc Antony, Lepidus. * Through the triumvirate the western provinces were divided: * Octavian: Africa, Sicily, Sardinia * Antony: Transalpine, Cisalpine, Gaul * Lepidus: Spain, Gaul * The triumvirates carried out many proscriptions (killing of opponents) which resulted in the death of 2000 equestrians who wealth was used to pay for legions and 300 senators and the republican leader, Cicero. This greatly weakened the republican traditions. * 40BC Antony’s relationship with Octavian became strained due to misunderstandings which almost resulted in civil war. However on October 40 the Treaty of Brundism was reached