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SP1a: The Impact of the death of Augustus

SP1a: The Impact of the death of Augustus. Historical period: the Julio-claudians. What are the concerns?. Augustus knew that he couldn’t live forever...but the question remained as to who could and should succeed him. Some of the concerns that would have faced him include:

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SP1a: The Impact of the death of Augustus

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  1. SP1a: The Impact of the death of Augustus Historical period: the Julio-claudians

  2. What are the concerns? • Augustus knew that he couldn’t live forever...but the question remained as to who could and should succeed him. • Some of the concerns that would have faced him include: • Technically a republic not monarchy • Legitimate heir • When to announce the succession

  3. Republic not a monarchy • Once Augustus had secured his position in Rome, he constantly declared that he had restored the Republic. • However, Augustus was bestowed with many titles, but the ones that wielded him the most power were • princeps senatus – right to speak first in the senate • princeps civitatis – first citizen in the Roman state; technically no powers but implied supremacy and authority. • Constantly Augustus refused to take on titles that would authorise him to have supreme administrative power over matters such as law, military command, policy making, life and death. This is known as “imperium”, yet many historians would argue that he held “maius imperium” or greater power. • If Augustus had in fact restored the republic, then in a republic there are no hereditary titles or positions. To announce a successor would imply not a republic but a monarchy or dictatorship.

  4. Legitimate heir m Despite the concept of a republic Rome, Augustus is reported to have been concerned about what would happen to Rome after his death and wished to appoint someone to follow in his stead and ensure a strong Roman Empire. Time and again he pinned his hopes on an heir of the Julian bloodline. Augustus did not have sons to either of his wives. His only hope of this was through his daughter Julia, and the sons she had with Marcus Agrippa. Unfortunately he was thwarted by their untimely deaths. Leaving only his step-sons Tiberius and Drusus as potential heirs.

  5. Announcing the successor To announce a successor may have offended the senate. Augustus was careful about keeping them on side. Once Augustus appoints someone to take over from him, it can result in negative actions, such as deferring power to the successor, suggests less capable to manage affairs of state. “He solved this with typical Augustan shrewdness by having his chosen successor assume the powers of tribune and proconsul while he was still alive.  Therefore, when Augustus died, the new emperor would already hold the important offices to guarantee a smooth transition of power.  Over time, and the memories of the Republic faded would fade and it would be taken for granted that the emperor's son or chosen successor should be the next emperor, even if he did not already hold the appropriate powers.” From http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/birth/4/FC32

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