As to the material for this week…

Several themes dominate the discussion.  Consider how these notions connect with the ideas of undermining the constitution, intimidation, the generation of the heroic image, and the "unpunished crime", the role of the gift.

• The claim to uniqueness.  Note the examples both in the text and the notes.  What is the function of such a claim?  And how does it work with his claim to be completely traditional?
• Augustus as “victor”; as conquering general.  Where were his victories won?  By armies or by diplomacy?  What impression does the mixture create?  Note that the stress is on victories won in “foreign” wars rather than in "civil" wars.
• How does he create the impression the he enjoyed “universal consent”. 
• In cc. 34 and 35 he turns to his position and his honors.  Again, our concern is not so much whether his statements are literally true, but what is the message?  Does he succeed in creating the impression that he is both unique and very much a part of tradition?  Note the honors stressed: father of his country, for saving the lives of citizens, etc.  We will consider these in detail in class.
• Some images: the triumvirate; Augustus veiled; sacrificing; and another; and the act itself; togata ; fertility; civic crown ; clupeus. Consider the message, audience and significance of these images.

On the legislation concerning morality (probably more relevant to what was discussed earlier, try this site).

Chapter Commentary

25.1 Need to understand that the eastern Mediterranean was like the Caribbean in the 17th Cent.; piracy was endemic. Note the stress on "pacification". Slaves returned to masters. What are his values here in reference to the defense of property?

25.2 Italy and oath "...of its own free will" / spontaneouly; and demanded me as its leader (dux) in the Actium war (against whom?). Note the force of the other provinces also swearing. East vs west. [On the oath taken to Hitler, here are the background and expectations; and the oath itself [p.67].

25.3 During that war 700 senators served under my banner...suggesting what? including 83 consulars and 170 priests. The implications??

26 The conqueror. Extends borders, but brought peace and prosperity [cf. notes at 22.2, pp 64-5]. Roman Spain; Arles (Gaul); pacification of the Alps, but only as a "just war". Germans send ambassadors seeking my friendship and that of the Roman People. Ships from mouth of Rhine and from Ethiopia. The message?

27. "I added Egypt [given away by Antony to Cleopatra]...Armenia a vassal; added provinces ruled by kings. Antony and Cleopatra. The donations of Alexandria.

28. Founded colonies in the West and in (for example, Gaul) colonies.

29. Victories in Spain, Gaul, Balkans, success against Parthians (Iran). "I compelled...to ask as suppliants..."

30. Victories in Pannonia (Hungary) to the Danube

31. Embassies from kings of India, from beyond the Danube and the Don, and from Iran sought friendship. What is suggested here?

32. The following kings sought refuge with me as suppliants. From Parthia and Britain, from Germany and theDanube. Extensive contact throughout the known and barely known world. Sought friendship and good faith.

33. Parthia sought and received kings from me.

34. His changing constitutional position. Name of Augustus (notes p. 77); Crown and shield. His virtues. Excelled all in authority, but possess no more official power than others who were my colleagues...(note p.79)

35. universus Romanus "("all Rome") made him pater patriae. Implications?

Latin poets in praise of Augustus; negative comments

Dio 53.11: While Caesar was reading this address, varied feelings took possession of the senators. A few of them knew his real intention and consequently kept applauding him enthusiastically; of the rest, some were suspicious of his words, while others believed them, and therefore both classes marvelled equally, the one at his cunning and the other at his decision, and both were displeased, the former at his scheming and the latter at his change of mind. For already there were some who abhorred the democratic constitution as a breeder of strife, were pleased at the change in government, and took delight in Caesar. Consequently, though they were variously affected by his announcement, their views were the same. For, on the one hand, those who believed he had spoken the truth could not show their pleasure,— those who wished to do so being restrained by their fear and the others by their hopes,— and those, on the other hand, who did not believe it did not dare accuse him and expose his insincerity, some because they were afraid and others because they did not care to do so. Hence all the doubters either were compelled to believe him or else pretended that they did. As for praising him, some had not the courage and others were unwilling; on the contrary, but while he was reading and afterwards, they kept shouting out, begging for a monarchical government and urging every argument in its favour, until they forced him as it was made to appear, to assume autocratic power. His very first act was to secure a decree granting to the men who should compose his bodyguard double the pay that was given to the rest of the soldiers, so that he might be strictly guarded. When this was done, he was eager to establish the monarchy in very truth.

On totalitarian/authoritarian. See also this site

Was the Augustan Principate a totalitarian or authoritarian system? Here are some definitions to help us decide.

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Totalitarian regimes differ from older concepts of dictatorship or tyranny. Totalitarian regimes seek to establish complete political, social and cultural control, whereas dictatorships/authoritarian regimes seek limited, typically political, control.

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Totalitarianism is a form of government in which all societal resources are monopolized by the state in an effort to penetrate and control all aspects of public and private life, through the state's use of propaganda, terror, and technology. Totalitarian ideologies reject the existing society as corrupt, immoral, and beyond reform, project an alternative society in which these wrongs are to be redressed, and provide plans and programs for realizing the alternative order. These ideologies, supported by propaganda campaigns, demand total conformity on the part of the people.
Totalitarian forms of organization enforce this demand for conformity. Totalitarian societies are hierarchies dominated by one political party and usually by a single leader. The party penetrates the entire country through regional, provincial, local and "primary" (party-cell) organization. Youth, professional, cultural, and sports groups supplement the party's political control. A paramilitary secret police ensures compliance. Information and ideas are effectively organized through the control of television, radio, the press, and education at all levels.

Max Weber (who did his dissertation on Roman Agriculture before turning to "sociology") makes a distinction between "charismatic authority" (= heroic leadership) arising out of systematic crises, and the notion of "legal-rational authority" that is based on primacy of procedures and institutions. What are the differences? and where does Augustus fit in this scheme? In theory and in fact? This issue will become important as we turn to Hitler.