What did Augustus do to maintain the façade of a republic? [Res Gestae]
He revised the roll of the senate three times and cut down its power as censor
What was the nature of the First Constitutional Settlements (27) according to Dio Cassius?
“compelled him, as it seemed to accept autocratic powers” whilst making it seem like he wanted to reject it.
How did Ronald Syme describe Augustus’s claim to power?
He ruled like a monarch but claimed his power came from the people and Senate, maintaining a republican façade
What did Tacitus note about Tiberius’ Republicanism?
“he did not convince anyone of his Republicanism. For he revived the treason laws”
What action did the Senate take towards Gaius according to Suetonius?
They “immediately and unanimously conferred absolute power upon him”
How does Dio describe the hostility of the Senate against Gaius?
“Everybody kept stabbing him savagely, even though he was dead; some even tasted his flesh”
What did Josephus state about the Senate’s expectations after Gaius’ death?
They “thought that they would now be in control of government business”
Why did Claudius wait 30 days to see the Senate according to Cassius Dio?
He feared them
What did the Senate declare about Nero according to Dio?
“declared him a public enemy and appointed Galba emperor in his place”
What competition arose among senators and knights during the Pisonian Conspiracy? [Tacitus]
They “competed to join” the conspiracy
What did Seneca state about Tiberius’ Maiestas trials?
“cost the lives of more Roman citizens than any civil war” [Seneca, Benefits]
What was notable about Camillus according to Tacitus?
“voted an honorary triumph and lived so unassumingly that he survived it”
Demeans the Senate
What extreme action did Gaius consider regarding the Senate? [Seneca]
He “considered butchering the whole senate”
What did Dio Cassius say about Gaius’s claims related to treason charges?
He claimed to put a stop to the treason charge but killed many people with it
What did Tacitus note about Augustus’s approach to senators?
“He referred all public business, however important or unimportant, to the senators”
How did Claudius demonstrate respect for the Senate during his term? [Suetonius]
He sat “in court even on his own birthday”
What did Claudius grant to senators regarding their rank? [Tacitus]
He allowed them to consider renouncing their senatorial rank instead of just expelling them
What did Cassius Dio say about the power dynamics between Augustus and the Senate?
“It is in my power to rule over you for life”
What did Tacitus say about Augustus’s control over the Senate?
“commandeering to himself the functions of the Senate, the magistrates and the law”
What did senators and high-ranking equestrians need to enter Egypt? [Tacitus]
They needed Augustus’s permission
What derogatory remark did Tiberius make about the Senate? [Tacitus]
He called them “Men fit to be slaves!”
What was the effect of Tiberius’s reign of terror on senators? [Tacitus]
Senators chose subservience to survive
What did Dio say showing the Senate feared about Gaius?
Senate fears Gaius and so votes him the right to “celebrate a lesser triumph, as if he had defeated some external enemy” for bringing back the treason trials.
What did Josephus say about the Senate’s status during Claudius’ reigns?
“The senate was reduced to impotence”
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10 Key Quotes10
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Did Augustus Restore the Roman Republic?14
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Character of Tiberius12
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Character of Gaius19
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Character of Claudius15
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Character of Nero15
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Benefit of imperial rule for the people (bread and circuses)15
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Imperial Women23
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Relationship with the Senate25
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Relationship with the Plebs17
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Succession28
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Administration20
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Building Works13
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Relationship with the Equites9
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Relationship with the Army18
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Imperial Cult21
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Opposition19
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Military Success15
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Political Success22
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Provinces16
