From Octavian to Augustus

Caesar’s assassination and the 2nd Triumverate

• March 15, 44 BC• Two of Caesar’s

most trusted lieutenants- Mark Antony and Lepidus joined with Octavian (Caesar’s adopted son) to form the 2nd Triumverate and defeated the armies Brutus and Cassius (two leading assassins of Julius Caesar)

• Both Mark Antony and Octavian wanted to be #1so a compromise was reached: the Peace of Brundisium, 40 BCE

• Antony & Cleopatra

• 40 BCE “Love at first sight?”

• Antony married Cleopatra and had 3 children with her.

• Donation of Alexandria, 34 BCE

• Antony’s acknowledgment of Caesarion as legitimate and heir to Caesar's name was more than Octavian could bare.

• Octavian's base of power was his link with Caesar through adoption, which granted him much-needed popularity and loyalty of the legions. To see this convenient situation attacked by a child borne by the richest woman in the world was something Octavian could not accept.

End of the 2nd Triumverate…3rd Civil War

• The Treaty of Brundisium ended in 33 BCE

• The Battle of Actium 31 BCE

• Cleopatra and Antony fled to Egypt where they committed suicide

Octavian was a political genius: he held absolute power without breaking the façade of a Republic- magistrates were still elected, assemblies still met, the Senate still enjoyed many of their privileges.

There was no talk of land reform etc etc!

Peace had returned to Rome!

• In 27BCE Octavian offered to surrender his power but was rejected by the Senate

• He refused to be called dictator or king – just “the princep.”

• The Senate conferred on him the title Augustus – Exalted One – and reigned until 14CE

• His policies laid the foundation for 200 years of peace and prosperity-”the Pax Romana.”

The Pax Romana - “Time of Happiness”27BCE-180 AD

200 years of peace allowed for the flourishing of culture throughout Roman-controlled lands

> trade and commerce expanded

> arts and science thrived

>Greco-Roman life based on rational thought reached everywhere in the Empire- an orderly world community

> Roman law was impartial and humane

> Administration was efficient and beneficial

> Architecture employed the arch, the dome and columns

> the Latin language

> Literature; historical writing; science and engineering

> Conditions for women and slaves improved

Successors to Augustus:

The Julian-Claudian Dynasty: Poisoned; Stabbed; Poisoned; Suicide

Tiberius

r 14-37

Caligula

r 37-41

Claudius r 41-54

Nero r 54-68

Tiberius, r14-37 • His mother Livia, married Augustus

making him step son to the Emperor

• One of Rome’s greatest generals, laying the foundation of the northern frontier

• Came to be remembered as a dark, reclusive & somber ruler who never desired to be emperor

• At 26, he lived on the isle of Capri, leaving Rome to be run by the Praetorian guard.

Caligula, r 37-41“Little boots”

• Irrational, unbalanced megolomaniac who had himself worshipped as a living god

• Drained the treasury to humor his whims- fighting in mock gladatorial fights, dressing up like a woman.

• Campaigns in Syria, Germania and Britain were all failures

• The first Emperor to be assassinated

Claudius r 41-54Propped up by Praetorian Guard

• During his reign the Empire conquered Thrace, Noricum, Lycia and Judaea, completed the conquest of Mauretania and began the conquest of Britain.

• Having a personal interest in law, he presided at public trials, and issued up to twenty edicts a day.

• Extensive public works projects

• Poisoned by his wife and her son, Nero

Nero, r 54-68 • 2 myths: The Great fire of Rome? Burning Christians for light.

• Promoted athletic games, built theatres and a huge palace with artificial lake

• Killer: his mother (Agripinna II) & his pregnant wife, Poppaea

• Lost support of the army; committed suicide