In 43 BC, the alliance known as the second triumvirate was formed between Octavianus (later named Augustus), Marcus Antonius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.
On this Day | 26 November
Tag: augustus
How Rome Destroyed Its Own Republic
Imagine a world in which political norms have broken down. Senators use bad faith arguments to block the government from getting anything done. An autocrat rigs elections and gives himself complete control over the government. Even stranger, many voters subscribe to the autocrat’s personality cult and agree that he should have absolute control.
Welcome to Rome in the first century B.C.E. The republic that had existed for over 400 years had finally hit a crisis it couldn’t overcome. Rome itself wouldn’t fall for another 1,500 years. But during this period, it lost its republic forever.
The man who played the biggest role in disrupting Rome’s republic was Augustus Caesar, who made himself the first emperor of Rome in 27 B.C.E. By that point, the republic’s political norms had been breaking down for about a century, and Augustus was in a position to take advantage of that.
Bronze head of Emperor Augustus laid low again at British Museum
“For the second time in just over 2,000 years, the bronze head of the Roman emperor Augustus has been toppled, to serve once again as an emblem of power mocked and laid low.”
“The last time his statue was captured by enemies, decapitated, and the head buried under the steps of a temple built to celebrate victory over mighty Rome, so that it was symbolically trampled into the dust by all those entering.”
Bronze head of Emperor Augustus laid low again at British Museum
Nicopolis
Greece is filled with ancient ruins, most of which are swarming with tourists. But though this particular city was born after a crucial moment in Roman history, it remains unusually overlooked. The city’s name means “City of Victory,” and it’s a celebration of a battle that changed the course of Roman history.
Nicopolis (also spelled Nikopolis) was founded by Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus—later known as Augustus, the first emperor of Rome—to honor his victory in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. In this battle, his troops defeated the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, basically putting an end to the Final War of the Roman Republic.
Spain’s raiders of the lost arch
“The two bases of the Janus Augustus Arch have been unearthed in the Jaén countryside and are set to alter the way we perceive Andalusia’s Roman past.”
“This imposing structure, some seven meters high, four meters deep and 15 meters wide, was built from local sandstone in the era of the Emperor Augustus and cemented with Roman concrete, and was “kilometer zero,” i.e. the starting point, for the 1,500-kilometer-long main Roman road in Andalusia, then known as Hispania Baetica. Twenty-one centuries later, the discovery allows a glimpse into the people who crossed under the ancient arch in what is now the city of Mengíbar.”
Giant mausoleum in Rome that held the remains of the emperor Augustus to be restored after decades of neglect
“After decades of shameful neglect, the biggest mausoleum ever to be built by the ancient Romans is to be brought alive with a spectacular multimedia experience projected onto its 2,000-year-old walls.”
“The Mausoleum of Augustus, located in the centre of Rome just a stone’s throw from the Tiber, was constructed in 28BC and became the last resting place of the eponymous emperor, as well as his successors Nero and Tiberius.”
“An Italian telecommunications company has contributed six million euros for its restoration, with its director promising an elaborate multimedia show that will tell the story of Augustus and ancient Rome.”
Rome’s Flaminian Obelisk: an epic journey from divine Egyptian symbol to tourist attraction
“It’s a great place to sit in the shade and enjoy a gelato. The base of the Flaminian Obelisk in the Piazza del Popolo on the northern end of Rome’s ancient quarter offers views of the twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto. But while enjoying the outlook, take a few minutes to marvel at how this 23-metre chunk of granite ended up where it has.“
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Rome’s Flaminian Obelisk: an epic journey from divine Egyptian symbol to tourist attraction
Augustus’ Political, Social, & Moral Reforms
“Augustus is well known for being the first Emperor of Rome, but even more than that, for being a self-proclaimed “Restorer of the Republic.” He believed in ancestral values such as monogamy, chastity, and piety (virtue). Thus, he introduced a number of moral and political reforms in order to improve Roman society and formulate a new Roman government and lifestyle. The basis of each of these reforms was to revive traditional Roman religion in the state.”
BADASS WOMEN OF THE ANCIENT WORLD: CLEOPATRA SELENE II (40 BC – 5 AD)
Only girl of the three children Roman triumvir Mark Antony and Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra had together (the other two being her twin Alexander Helios and younger brother Ptolemy Philadelphus), Cleopatra Selene grew up in her mother’s court in Alexandria, surrounded by luxury and receiving some of the best education available at the time.
At only 6 years old she was not only a princess of Egypt, but the ruler (if only in name) of Cyrenaica and Crete, territories given to her by her father. But it was not to last: in 30 BC her parents, after losing a war against Octavian (future Emperor Augustus), were forced to commit suicide and Selene and her two full brothers were taken to Rome by Octavian.
In Rome, Selene was a ward to Octavian’s sister and Antony’s ex-wife Octavia, and lived as a part of the imperial household. It was there that she met her future husband, Juba II, an orphaned prince forced to live in Rome after his father’s suicide, much like Selene. Their marriage was arranged by Augustus and the young couple was sent to Mauretania, a territory that needed Roman supervision. They were made king and queen.
Under their rule, Mauretania went from an unorganized territory to a successful center of trade, culture, science and philosophy. Juba, one of the great intellectuals of his time, spent much of his time travelling, researching and writing, and much of the day to day business of running the kingdom was left to Selene, who used her influence to turn Mauretania’s capital Caesarea into a second Alexandria. A lighthouse, resembling the famous Pharos of Alexandria, was even built in the Mauritanian coast.
After Selene’s death, Juba continued to rule for some years, being followed on the throne by their son. Selene and Juba were buried together.
Although loyal to Rome, Selene never stopped honoring her family’s legacy. She was a patron of art and philosophy, publicly worshipped the goddess Isis and went as far as naming her son and heir Ptolemy, instead of naming him after her husband’s family. So, Cleopatra and the Ptolemies surived in Selene not only in blood but also in spirit.
Portico of Octavia reborn after 14 years (2) – Lifestyle
“(ANSA) – Rome, December 18 – The ancient Roman Portico of Octavia, a jewel of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, has been reborn after a 14-year restoration that swaddled its famed colonnaded walks in scaffolding.”
“Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi unveiled the restored structure along with Rome Cultural Heritage Superintendent Claudio Parisi Presicce, Deputy Mayor Luca Bergamo and the president of Rome’s Jewish community, Ruth Dureghello.”
“Campidoglio experts said the world had been particularly “complex” and had been completed thanks to a collaboration between a team of archaeologists, architects and engineers “with the aid of high technologies which allowed, and will allow in future, a constant monitoring of the ruins of the complex which over the centuries has been damaged and repaired on several occasions”.”
“Built by Emperor Augustus in the name of his sister, Octavia Minor, sometime after 27 BC, the Porticus Octaviae’s walks enclosed the temples of Jupiter Stator and Juno Regina, as well as a library. The structure was used as a fish market in the Ghetto from the medieval period, and up to the end of 19th century.”
Imperium Romanum 