RES GESTAE OF AUGUSTUS

Origins, Authenticity and Summary of Contents and Style

The Res Gestae, index rerum a se gestarum or Acts of Augustus, was one of four documents left by Augustus at his death with the Vestal Virgins for safekeeping. His instructions were for it "to be inscribed on bronze tablets and set up in front of his mausoleum." In fact, the main sources of the surviving inscriptions in Latin and Greek were found in Galatia (modern Ankara), principally on the temple of 'Rome and Augustus' at Ancyra there. Although portions of the inscriptions are damaged, almost all of them have been restored. By comparing the texts with other writings of Augustus, all experts agree that the Res Gestae so discovered is

. . .
ding to Brunt & Moore, "it may be doubted if contemporaries were much impressed with his claim to clemency." As for foreign enemies, Augustus would leave them alone if they were willing to pay tribute and did not represent a danger to Rome's safety. Constitutional Settlement of B.C. 27 After his victory over Mark Antony at Actium and his conquest of Egypt in B.C. 30, Augustus was the undisputed master of Rome. In his account, he recites the many honors bestowed upon and the triumphs and ovations, etc. staged on his behalf by a grateful nation, but he skips over the details of the constitutional settlement of B.C. 27. He merely says in para. 34 that "I transferred the republic from my own control to the will of the senate and the Roman people." Essentially, Scarre says "Octavian went through the pantomine of giving up power to the Senate, and receiving most of it back again." He reinstated the magistrates, the senate and popular bodies in their old constitutional role. In return, he had himself named consul, a power which was renewed annually down to B.C. 23, retained untrammeled consular authority over a number of provinces, including Spain, Gaul, Egypt, Syria and others, which Brunt & Moore say "he administered virtually a
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Brunt Moore, Res Gestae, Romans Galinsky, According Scarre, Julius Caesar's, Augustus' Popularity, Lewis Reinhold, Minor Egypt, Egypt BC, Power BC, brunt moore, res gestae, university press, mark antony, according brunt moore, bc 23, bc 27, roman people, julius caesar's, moral authority, according brunt, oxford oxford university, shrines public edifices, oxford university press, gestae divi augusti,
Approximate Word count = 2928
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)

More Essays on RES GESTAE OF AUGUSTUS