Principate

In A.D. 37, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - better known as Caligula - became emperor of Rome. Citizens, especially the elite senatorial class, were overjoyed. Despite the fact that he had improved the Empire's defenses and finances, Caligula's predecessor, the gloomy and reclusive Tiberius, had long since worn out his welcome. Caligula's personal background promised great things. His father was a much-loved Roman general who had subdued the Germanic tribes to the north, adding much…

“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn 't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” This quote is taught to non-commissioned officers of the United States Army, at all leadership courses. It is taught as a quote from Tacitus. However, many sources give the quote to Heraclitus. Regardless of who is the original author, it is significant that…

He makes it so Rome is ruled by a Princeps, in a Principate government which continue from 29 BC to 285 AD. This form of government was for joint rule between the Princess and the Senate, but the Princeps held all the power. The princeps also had the Imperium Maius, were the Princeps got half of the Roman…

Ancient Rome and the Han dynasty were both great empires that covered large parts of territory at different time periods. They were two different empires that were in opposite sides of the world but had many similarities. Both of these empires were built on previous generations of their ancestors ideas and creations that came before them. There were also many differences in these two empires like their government, military, slave view, language, and architecture. Some may argue that these two…

Octavian himself. He allowed it to appear that he had been persuaded to come back to power. For his apparent self-sacrifice many honors were bestowed upon him, including the name "Augustus,". Augustus is translated as “the illustrious one”. The Roman Principate was established and he was now the emperor. He was now in full control. In 23 BC, he became ill and nearly died. Augustus resigned as consul but took a took an imperius majus…

This essay will discuss the question of whether equestrians were more important than senators in the running of the empire. Here, I have interpreted importance to mean the degree to which they were integral to Roman imperial administration. That being said, I shall evaluate the role of both the Senate and individual equestrians under the Julio-Claudian emperors. I will investigate Augustus’ granting of rights to equestrians that permitted them to enter Egypt and Arminius being an equestrian in…

The early stories about the rise of Rome were seen through Livy’s eyes, an Italian man from Padua. His stories about Rome was to glorify Rome’s greatness and how it still connects with its past. His stories examine the good and the bad that has occurred in Rome. Livy’s stories made Rome seem like a great place to be at, with all the virtues that they took to hear the most. The virtues that the Romans considered to be important were duty, courage and determination, loyalty, humility. Even though…

When Julius Caesar was challenged by the Roman Senate to lay down his arms and return to Rome unarmed and alone to face a trial for multiple charges for crimes his political opponents thought appropriate, he had to make a choice, go to Rome as asked and most certainly be tried, convicted and exiled, maybe executed, or he could march on Rome at the head of his Army. This scenario is one which countless individuals over every century have faced, not the part about leading an Army necessarily, no,…

Justinian the Conqueror (aka The Emperor Triumphant, Barberini Ivory) is thought to have been created in Constantinople (Byzantine) in the early 6th century. The artist is unknown. It is a diptych panel in five parts. The pieces’ dimensions are: 32.4 cm by 26.8 cm by 2.8 cm deep. The second piece, Augustus of Primaporta was discovered in1863 at the villa of Augustus’ wife Livia Drusilla, and close to a late Imperial gate called Prima Porta . The artist is unknown. It is a freestanding marble…

In this essay we will explore the importance of wealth in the Roman political system during the time of the Late Republic (218-31BC). Therefore, this essay shall use modern scholarship to supplement the ancient sources. We will cover the Servian constitution, the brothers Gracchi, Cicero’s Against Verres, Livy, Plutarch, Appian and V. Paterculus. Cicero, writing 2nd Century BC says that the Servian Constitution concentrated political power in the hands of the wealthy. This involved organising…