Tacitus's Characterization of Augustus - Paper Example

Published: 2021-07-10
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Tacitus was probably born in southern Gaul France to the provincial family that was well established financially and politically sounds. He received an education corresponding to his family high rank in Roman society, which involved studying literature and philosophy. Tacitus rose rapidly in the ranks of the military and civilian service. After the year in Rome, he was appointed as the Consul the highest ranking office in the Roman state. Throughout his long stay in Rome and abroad, Tacitus wrote several books. When Rome was first a city, its rulers were kings power centered in one man blunted the moral sense of even experienced leaders. Then Lucius Julius created the consulate and free public an institution in general. The dictatorship was as summed in emergencies, and a council of ten did not last more than two years, then there was a short arrangement by which senior army officers provides tribe that will possess consular authority. All in all, Augustus found the whole city needed and as a result established personal regime known as the principate. Augustus was an influential leader who coined the existence of the state, and with them, he fought the opposing side until he made end for them. Augustus chose thought against will, to surrender a few to their wrath so that he might save the majority (Cowan, 179-210). To save the city, Augustus employed different methods such as seducing the arm with bonus and food policies, the Settlement of 27 BC and family dominance.

He seduced the army with bonus and food policies, and he was successful bait civilians. Indeed, he attracted everybody goodwill by the enjoyment of the gift of peace. Then he gradually pushed ahead and abolished the system of Senate, the officers, and even the law; opposition did not exist. War or judicial murders were applied to opposing side. Middle class survivors found that slavish obedience was the way to succeed, both politically and financially. They had profited from revolution, and so now they liked the security of the introduced arrangements that was better than the dangerous, uncertain old regime. Besides, new rules were applied in provinces; their government by senate and people was looked upon skeptically as a matter of sparring dignitaries and extortion official. The legal system provided no remedy against these since it was wholly incapacitated by violence, favoritism and in the top of all bribery.

The settlement of 27 BC, Octavian rose in the Senate and announced that he was giving up the consulship and transfer control of the state, including the armies and provinces back to senate and people of Rome. The house of senate refused this noble gesture, and a bargain was struck which amounted to a confirmation of his supremacy. Thus it is tempting to think of a propaganda campaign which falsely claimed that the old Republican system had returned (Galinsky, Karl). He pointed out that although proconsuls were now appointed by majority, as of old, rather than Augustus power to appoint them and govern them was openly un-Republican, and everyone knew it. With time their reintroduced elections of tribal assembly resumed, they were now constrained by the practice of commendation, and some case was confirmed that Augustus is granting consulship and other offices. Augustus was doing this so that to acquire balance government and development of the city.

To safeguard his dominance Augustus, he appointed her sisters son to act as a priest and culture audile. In spite of his extreme youth and singled out Marcus Agrippa ahead of an army but a first-rate soldier who assisted until there were victories, he was awarded with consecutive consulships. There are people who were loyal to him and they served his best interest. After Marcellus had passed, Agrippa was chosen by Augustus to act as emperor, and Nero Drusus hailed in public as vice general. People did not have any worries as long as Augustus maintains his physical power, and kept on going with his house and peace of the empire. But when his old age incapacitated him, his approach had brought the hope of change. But the great majority, however, exchanged critical gossip about the candidate for his succession. While other feared the civil war, while others hoped for civil war and other idly talking of blessings of freedom.

At the time Nore Drusus was long dead, Tiberius was the only surviving stepson, and everything pointed on his direction. He was adopted as the emperors son and as the partner in his power with civil and military power that applied to all armies. This time livia requested openly that Augustus family be under control, so much that he even exiled his only surviving grandson. Agrippa Postumus dedicated good quality and he was never involved in any scandal. Nevertheless, it was not him but Germanics the son of Nero who was Emperor placed command of his eight divisions Augustus brought him because he wanted to have another iron in the fire.

Augustus health deteriorated and some people suspects his wife and other four prayer who wanted to see him dead.

Work cited

Galinsky, Karl. Augustan culture: an interpretive introduction. Princeton University Press, 1998.

Cowan, Eleanor. "Tacitus, Tiberius and Augustus." Classical Antiquity 28.2 (2009): 179-210.

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