GRQ 4
1. In Chapter 4, we saw that Julius Caesar was murdered partly because he seemed to be moving towards monarchical power. In this chapter, Octavian, taking the title of Augustus, enjoyed greater power than Julius ever managed. How did Octavian not only survive but succeed where Julius had failed?
During the Roman Empire, it was best for a leader to be cautious of how they decided to use their power since the Senate was the judge and jury. The Senate had exceeding power, which meant anyone who dares to defy them will surely meet their end. It is no folklore that the Senate was behind the death of Julius Caesar, and other leaders who thought they could get away with disobeying the Senate. But once in a while, there comes a leader who is …show more content…
Octavian was also able to gain the support of the people, which was an important aspect because, during this period, people were weary due to all the wars Romans participated in. The people needed a Leader who could reassure them that things will improve and peace will be restored. Evidently, Octavian wanted more power after he gained the trust and support of the Senate and the People, but he did not give the Senate any suspicious of his greed for more power. Rather, he laid low and made sure the Senate was still on his side, and this was how he was able to gain more power to the point that the Roman army was fully under his control. It was not pure luck that made Octavian have a more seceding ruling than Julius Caesar, the ultimate secret to Octavian success was because he did not challenge the Senate or anger them, but instead he made them feel more prominent. (Pages 154-157).
3. Your textbook states, "The successors of Augustus immediately proved that power corrupted."Would you agree or disagree with this statement? Be sure to defend your point of view with solid
1. In Chapter 4, we saw that Julius Caesar was murdered partly because he seemed to be moving towards monarchical power. In this chapter, Octavian, taking the title of Augustus, enjoyed greater power than Julius ever managed. How did Octavian not only survive but succeed where Julius had failed?
During the Roman Empire, it was best for a leader to be cautious of how they decided to use their power since the Senate was the judge and jury. The Senate had exceeding power, which meant anyone who dares to defy them will surely meet their end. It is no folklore that the Senate was behind the death of Julius Caesar, and other leaders who thought they could get away with disobeying the Senate. But once in a while, there comes a leader who is …show more content…
Octavian was also able to gain the support of the people, which was an important aspect because, during this period, people were weary due to all the wars Romans participated in. The people needed a Leader who could reassure them that things will improve and peace will be restored. Evidently, Octavian wanted more power after he gained the trust and support of the Senate and the People, but he did not give the Senate any suspicious of his greed for more power. Rather, he laid low and made sure the Senate was still on his side, and this was how he was able to gain more power to the point that the Roman army was fully under his control. It was not pure luck that made Octavian have a more seceding ruling than Julius Caesar, the ultimate secret to Octavian success was because he did not challenge the Senate or anger them, but instead he made them feel more prominent. (Pages 154-157).
3. Your textbook states, "The successors of Augustus immediately proved that power corrupted."Would you agree or disagree with this statement? Be sure to defend your point of view with solid