The Rise of Augustus and the Roman Empire

1. The Rise of Augustus and the Roman Empire 44 BC – 27 BC

2. Reactions to the Death of Caesar • Antony was fellow consul of Caesar took control • Summoned the senate on March 17th no actions would be taken against the assassins but Casear’s measures and appointments would remain • Diminished the aim of the assassination • Casear’s will left extensive lands to the people of Rome who then led an outcry against the assassins • Brutus and Cassius driven from Rome • Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was elected potifex maximus

3. Gaius Octavius • 18 year old grandnephew of Caesar • Had been abroad studying • Returned to Rome accompanied by friend Marcus Agrippa • Adopted by Caesar in his will to be his heir • Had ambitions to displace Antony as leader of Caesar’s supporters • Sold off his own property to give each citizen some money • Antony was loosing ground to Octavian so took his army to Gaul and when the current governor did not leave, Antony besieged the city (Mutina) • Cicero proposed that the senate eliminate Antony (who they feared wanted to be dictator) –The Phillipics • Octavian given membership in the Senate and authority subordinate to only the consuls • Troops defeated Antony in Gaul and Mutina was relieved

4. Octavian as Consul • Both consuls died in the fighting • Octavian insisted that he be made consul in order to give rewards to his men • The senate refused the request • In August Octavian marched on Rome at the head of 8 legions • He became Consul • Formally condemned and outlawed Caesar’s assassins as well as Sextus Pompey • With the help of Lepidus, Octavian reconciled with Antony

5. The Second Triumvirate • Formed legally in 43 BC - Triumviri reipublicae constituendae • Lex Titia • Given authority to make laws without reference to the senate or people, exercise jurisdiction without appeal, and nominate all magistrates • In practice, they did continue to consult the senate and people and elections were held • Antony took responsibility for Gaul, Lepidus for Spain, and Octavian for Africa, Sardinia, and Sicily • Main priority was to punish Caesar’s assassins • Antony and Octavian were to have 20 legions each (5000 per legion) • Lacked the means to pay this many men so resorted to confiscations and proscriptions (300 senators and 2000 equites)

6. Battle of Philippi • Caesar deified in 42, Octavian now was the “son of a god” • Octavian and Antony moved east against Brutus and Cassius • Met in Macedonia at Philippi in late summer of 42 • Each army had about 100,000 men • Antony had displayed his skillful generalship and increased his military prestige • Assumed the more attractive responsibility of remaining in the East • Octavian did not prove to be a good general (had to be bailed out by Antony) • Both Brutus and Cassius committed suicide as a result of their defeats in these battles • Marks the end of the republican cause

8. Sextus Pompeius • Had gathered enough troops and support that he was able to cut off the grain imports to Rome • Abandoned hostilities by 39 BC • Octavian married Scribonia, relative of Sextus Pompey, in 40 BC (had only child, Julia, in 39) • Retained control of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and given the Peloponnese • Relations with Sextus Pompey quickly deteriorated • Octavian divorced Scribonia in 39 • Antony delayed handing over Peloponnese • Battles in 38 and 37 against Ocatvian and Antony • They renewed the Triumvirate in 37 as well • Agrippa, elected consul in 37, finally defeated Sextus Pompey in 36 BC in a sea battle at Naulochus • Sextus escaped to Asia Minor but was tracked down and executed in 35 BC

9. Lepidus • After Sextus’ defeat, Lepidus decided to try to rise over Octavian • He demanded Sextus’ land troops surrender to him but Octavian objected • Octavian entered Lepidus’ camp and invited all the troops (Lepidus’ and Sextus’) to recognize him as their commander which they did • Octavian took Africa and Lepidus was forced to live in exile

10. Antony in the East • Remained in the east following the battle at Philippi • Reestablish good relations with Egypt • Had met Cleopatra through Caesar in Rome • Personal relationship ensued • Cleopatra gave birth to twins a year later • Antony spent the winter of 41-40 in Alexandria with her • Helped strengthened Cleopatra’s rule • In 40 he married Octavia, sister of Octavian • Continued relationship going with Cleopatra • had another son with Cleo in 36 • In 36, Antony set out against Parthia • Had success but eventually lost one-third of his army

11. Clash between Antony and Octavian (36-30) • In 36, Rome essentially had two rulers • Antony in the East • Octavian in the West • Octavian wanted to be sole ruler so intensified propaganda against Antony and Cleopatra • Antony spent another winter with Cleopatra (35-34) • Would finally divorced wife, Octavia, in 32 • “Donations of Alexandria” • “Married” Cleopatra • Distributed lands to Cleo, his sons, and Caesar’s son • Gratified Egyptians

12. Propaganda Made Antony seem less Roman Made himself seem less autocratic Antony did not help himself – gave Cleo title “Queen of Kings” Antony identified with Dionysus, Osiris, and Alexander Octavian identified himself with Apollo and, later, with Venus

13. Battle of Actium Divorce of Antony and Octavia broke any last ties between Octavian and Antony Octavian declared war on Cleopatra in 32 (but not Antony) Naval battle at Actium Octavian and Agrippa blockade Antony and Cleopatra Antony and Cleopatra flee Antony’s generals desert

15. Aftermath of Actium Octavian invades Egypt, plunders and brings back as much as he can 3 day triumph in Rome (29 BC) Civil War in Rome is over 100 years of peace to follow – Pax Romana Literature, building programs, moral reforms