Embedded Files
Document #1:
The denarius was a silver coin used in the Roman Empire, usually worth the amount of one full-day's work for a common laborer. On the front side of the coin is the head of Octavian and the inscribed word “CAESAR.” On the back is a Crocodile inscribed with “AEGVPTO CAPTA” which means “Egypt Captured.” This coin was used in celebration of Augustus’s victory in Egypt, specifically the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.E.
Document #2:
The Arc of Augustus also known as the Parthian triumphal arch (artist rendition provided below) was erected by Augustus in 19 BCE to celebrate the return of Roman military standards capture by the Parthians at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE.
Above-shown silver denarius of Augustus illustrates the arch of Augustus, this very coin is the best source to reconstitute the arch. It was a triple arch with a quadriga standing on the central arch. The construction of triple was an unusual design in Rome. The obverse of this arch consists of the portrait of Emperor August.
Document #3: From the Roman History, Book LIII: Volume VI, by historian Cassius Dio.
Cassius was the son of a Roman governor and served as a senator for about 25 years. After the turmoil of the reign of the emperor Commodus (c.177-192), Cassius was given the prestigious position of praetor by the new emperor Septimus Severus. Believing that new bright era came with the rise of Emperor Severus, Cassius Dio set out to write the history of Rome leading up to the accession of Severus. The following excerpt is about Octavian, the man who would become the first emperor of Rome:
Octavian wanted to be thought of as democratic. He gave the Senate control of the weaker provinces, on the ground that they were peaceful and free from war, while he retained control of the more powerful provinces (like Egypt), claiming that they were insecure and might begin a serious revolt. He said that he wanted the Senate to enjoy the finest portion of the empire, while he himself the hardships and the dangers; but his real purpose was that by this arrangement the senators would be unarmed and unprepared for battle, while he alone had arms and maintained soldiers.
Octavian was destined to have absolute control of all matters for all time. When his ten-year period came to an end, he was voted for another five years, then five more, after that ten, and again another ten, and then ten for the fifth time, so that by a series of ten-year periods he continued to be sole ruler for life.
The name Augustus was given to him by the Senate and by the people. They wished to call him by some distinctive title, and men were proposing one title and another. Octavian took the title of "Augustus," signifying that he was more than human; for all the most precious and sacred objects are termed “augusta.”
In this way the power of both people and senate passed entirely into the hands of Octavian, and he became, strictly speaking, a monarch; for monarchy would be the truest name for it. Romans, to be sure, so hated the idea of monarchy that they called their emperors neither dictators nor kings nor anything of the sort.
Document #4: From Roman History, by an army officer who served as praetor [a high-level Roman administrative position] for Caesar Augustus, Velleius Paterculus, c.30.
There is nothing a man can desire from the gods, nothing that the gods can grant to a man, which Augustus did not bestow upon the Republic, the Roman people, and the world. The civil wars were ended after twenty years, foreign wars were suppressed, peace restored; validity was restored to the laws, authority to the courts, and dignity to the Senate. The old traditional form of Republic was restored. Agriculture was returned to the fields, respect to religion, to mankind freedom from anxiety, and to each citizen his property rights were now assured; old laws were usefully amended, and new laws passed for the general good.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse