Simone Lawson
Following the defeat of Sextus, Octavian returned to Rome and refused the senate's proposal that he be named pontifex maximus, pagan Rome's chief priest. This marked the first sign of a major political reinvention, from avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary to upholder and guardian of Roman tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| From avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary | Upholder and guardian of Roman tradition |
| Refused to be named pontifex maximus | Lepidus was pontifex maximus |
| Took direct responsibility for the building and maintenance of networks of roads in Italy in 20 BC | Donated vast amounts of money to the aerarium Saturni, the public treasury |
| His autocratic regime is known as the principate | He was the princeps, the first citizen |
| He was at the head of outwardly revived republican institutions | His autocracy was palatable |
| He overhauled every aspect of Roman life | Brought durable peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world |
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What You'll Learn
Octavian's refusal to be named pontifex maximus
When Octavian returned to Rome after defeating Sextus, the senate proposed to honour him extravagantly. One of the proposed honours was that Octavian be named pontifex maximus, pagan Rome's chief priest. Octavian refused. Lepidus was pontifex maximus at the time, and it would have gone against established practice to strip him of this august priesthood while he was still alive. This refusal was the first sign of Octavian's second major political reinvention, from avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary to upholder and guardian of Roman tradition.
Octavian's refusal also had practical implications. By declining the position of pontifex maximus, he avoided the potential controversy and opposition that could have arisen from stripping Lepidus of the priesthood. This refusal was part of a larger strategy to consolidate his power and establish himself as the guiding hand of the Republic.
Octavian's political reinvention was not just about restoring the superficial trappings of the Republic, but also about overhauling every aspect of Roman life. He brought durable peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world, and his autocratic regime is known as the principate, with him as the princeps, the first citizen.
Octavian's power was based on a combination of military might and financial resources. He undertook direct responsibility for the building and maintenance of networks of roads in Italy in 20 BC, and his vast donations to the public treasury were publicized on Roman currency issued in 16 BC. However, his power ultimately rested on force, even if this fact was disguised.
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The war against Sextus
Octavian's first major political reinvention was from 'avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary' to 'upholder and guardian of Roman tradition'. This shift was signalled by his refusal to be named pontifex maximus, pagan Rome's chief priest, after defeating Sextus in a tremendously difficult war.
Octavian's war against Sextus was a challenging conflict that tested his military prowess and strategic skills. The specifics of the war are not well documented, but it is known that the victory established Octavian as a formidable force in Roman politics. The war likely involved naval battles and complex military strategies, as Sextus was a formidable opponent with a strong power base.
Octavian's triumph over Sextus demonstrated his ability to lead and inspired confidence in his military capabilities. This victory was a pivotal moment in his rise to power and set the stage for his subsequent political manoeuvres. It showcased his determination, strategic thinking, and capacity to overcome adversity.
Octavian's victory over Sextus was a significant milestone in his journey towards becoming the first emperor of Rome, known as Augustus. This war demonstrated his military prowess and established him as a force to be reckoned with in Roman politics. Octavian's subsequent refusal of the title pontifex maximus highlighted his respect for Roman traditions and further enhanced his reputation as a leader committed to the preservation of Roman values and customs.
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Augustus's autocratic regime
Octavian's first major political reinvention was from 'avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary' to 'upholder and guardian of Roman tradition'. This shift occurred after the defeat of Sextus, when Octavian refused the senate's offer to name him *pontifex maximus*, pagan Rome's chief priest.
Octavian's autocratic regime is known as the principate, because he was the *princeps*, the first citizen, at the head of outwardly revived republican institutions. This was the only way to make his autocracy palatable to the Roman people. Octavian's power was based on his predominant military power, and the ultimate sanction of his authority was force. He monopolised the consulship, invested himself with tribunician powers, and occupied the seat of the most important religious office. This was all window dressing on dictatorship, but it was also actual reform.
Over a period of three decades, Octavian's position in the state was established in a complex amalgam of legal and non-legal powers and privileges. This process was not instantaneous, nor did it adhere to a single agenda relentlessly pursued; rather, it evolved piecemeal over time, occasionally reactionary, occasionally with foresight.
Octavian's regime brought durable peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world. He overhauled every aspect of Roman life with unlimited patience, skill, and efficiency.
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The Republic's need for a 'governing leader'
The Republic's need for a governing leader was clear. The old system had failed utterly and, if reinstated, would do so again. Even someone as republican in sentiment as Cicero had finally admitted the need for a "governing leader" of the state (rector). Octavian was to remain in control, that much was clear. But how? Over the next three decades, his position in the state was established in a complex amalgam of legal and non-legal powers and privileges. The process was not instantaneous nor did it adhere to a single agenda relentlessly pursued; rather, it evolved piecemeal over time, occasionally reactionary, occasionally with foresight.
Octavian's first major political reinvention was from avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary to upholder and guardian of Roman tradition. He refused to be named pontifex maximus, pagan Rome's chief priest, and instead, undertook direct responsibility for the building and maintenance of networks of roads in Italy in 20 BC. This was publicised on the Roman currency issued in 16 BC, after he donated vast amounts of money to the aerarium Saturni, the public treasury.
Octavian's power was based on the exercise of "a predominant military power and ... the ultimate sanction of his authority was force, however much the fact was disguised". He monopolised the consulship, invested himself with tribunician powers, and occupied the seat of the most important religious office. Ostensibly, he did much to "restore" the superficial trappings of the Republic – both politically and culturally. However, this may have been a combination of actual reform and window dressing.
Octavian's autocratic regime is known as the principate because he was the princeps, the first citizen, at the head of that array of outwardly revived republican institutions that alone made his autocracy palatable. With unlimited patience, skill, and efficiency, he overhauled every aspect of Roman life and brought durable peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world.
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Augustus's third and final political reinvention
Octavian's third and final political reinvention was about restoring the Republic. The old system had failed and it was clear that the Republic needed a guiding hand. Octavian's position in the state was established in a complex amalgam of legal and non-legal powers and privileges. This process was not instantaneous and did not adhere to a single agenda, rather it evolved piecemeal over time.
Augustus is well known for being the first Emperor of Rome, but also for being a self-proclaimed "Restorer of the Republic". He believed in ancestral values such as monogamy, chastity, and piety (virtue). Thus, he introduced a number of moral and political reforms in order to improve Roman society and formulate a new Roman government and lifestyle. The basis of each of these reforms was to revive traditional Roman religion in the state.
Augustus restored public monuments, especially the Temples of the Gods, as part of his quest for religious revival. He also commissioned the construction of monuments that would further promote and encourage traditional Roman religion. In 17 BC, he revived the Ludi Secularae (Secular Games), a religious celebration that occurred only once every 110 years, in which sacrifices and theatrical performances were taken place. Finally, Augustus established the Imperial Cult for worship of the Emperor as a god. The cult spread throughout the entire Empire in only a few decades, and was considered an important part of Roman religion.
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Frequently asked questions
Octavian's first major political reinvention was from 'avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary to upholder and guardian of Roman tradition'.
Octavian was the 'avenger of Caesar and militarist revolutionary'.
Octavian was the 'upholder and guardian of Roman tradition'.
Octavian's first major political reinvention was in relation to his role in Roman politics.
Yes, Octavian's first major political reinvention changed his political stance from a more revolutionary position to a more traditional one.
