Kirsty Irving.

According to the sources, to what extent was Augustus victory and the aftermath of the civil war important in securing his position as princeps of Rome ? (45marks)
The battle of Actium took place on the 2nd of September 31BC occurring on the Ambrian sea where overall Antony and Cleopatras men out numbers Augustus. After Julius Caesar is assassinated for claiming himself dictator for life Augustus takes over his position which angers Antony, causing tension between the two. Augustus now knows not to make the same mistake as Caesar so to secure his position in Rome he will have to do so differently. According to Suetonius in The Twelve Caesars Augustus broke off his alliance with Marcus Antony since he joined an alliance with Cleopatra, even naming his children after her. This would have been used as propaganda, making Antony the public enemy of the state gaining him popular support among the people of Rome, securing his position. This is further emphasised by Suetonius: Augustus soon took the city of Alexandria and with his triumph making Egypt a province. With Augustus taking another triumph for Rome it would secure his position since he won a civil war and also killed Antony, who betrayed the state. But Suetonius wrote about the battle of Actium one hundred and fifty years after the battle actually occurred, meaning he wasnt a contemporary source so needs to be taken with caution. The Denarius of 27BC depicts the head of Augustus which would have been used for propaganda and would also increase his power within the Roman Empire as the citizens of Rome would use these coin, remembering that Augustus won the battle of Actium and defeated a public enemy, Mark Antony. The other coin portrays a crocodile which signifies Egypt and the lexis CAPTA conveys the capturing of Egypt illustrating Egypt becoming a province due to Augustus triumph at Actium. This would of secured his position since it brought grain to the people of Rome which they would be thankful for. The coins need to be taken with caution since they are used highly for propaganda on Augustus behalf. Virgil also wrote about the battle of Actium in Aeneid which was his masterpiece, which he glorifies the battle in stating that the fleets were wrought in bronze suggesting that the Augustus was confident upon victory. Virgil also portrays the great gods as being on Augustus side which would be used a propaganda which would secure his position among the Roman people since he had the gods on his side they are involving themselves in Augustus war, helping him obtain victory. This as a source also needs to be taken with heed since it is also romanticized: Twin flames shot joyfully upward, there isnt anything joyful in battle since a lot of men die suggesting that this was merely used to entertain the people of Rome while securing Augustus position and his popularity among the Roman Empire. Horace, Epode 9 is a portrayal of the celebration after the Battle of Actium. Augustus is conveyed as Our Caesar as it was used for propaganda, illustrating the power and position that Augustus held in Rome. The lexeme Our illustrates his popularity with the citizens of Rome which would help in securing his position since he had to keep the citizens happy. Antony what stated as our enemy illustrating that he is a traitor of not just Augustus but the state also, suggesting that Augustus has done everyone a great favour. Augustus killing Antony secures his position also since in 43BC the 2nd triumvirate was made which Augustus shared provinces with Antony and Lepidus, this would break

Kirsty Irving. the alliance giving Augustus more power over the empire. Horace as a source also needs to be taken into account since he glorifies Augustus and his family but he was also a contemporary source. Overall the Battle of Actium is important in securing Augustus position, gaining the title of princeps meaning first leading citizen so Augustus was an emperor in every sense but the name. Four years after the battle of Actium was the first constitutional settlement where Augustus obtained more power while looking like he was surrendering his power to the senate securing his position and not making the same mistake as Caesar.