Student 4: High Achieved
Latin 3.4B
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Emperor Augustus (63BC – 14AD) was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first emperor, ruling
from 27 BC until his death in 14AD. He initiated an era of peace known as the ‘Pax Romana’ or the
Roman peace. Despite some wars, the Mediterranean world remained at relative peace for over two
centuries. Before this, Rome was plagued by civil wars, and the Romans were ready for this era of
peace by the time of Augustus. Augustus used this idea to win the Roman’s support. They had had
enough of civil wars and were ready for peace, and Augustus was keen to restore Rome to the way it
had been founded by Romulus and Remus, and gain world supremacy. We can see the Roman’s
attitude to Augustus and elements of his leadership reflected in Latin literature, such as Virgil’s
‘Aeneid’ and Horace’s Odes.
One of the most important aspects of the Roman society was that they loved tradition and the gods.
They were proud of their city and what it had become and believed that the gods favoured them and
also the systems which operated within this. (1)They had a strong faith in the gods and all
prophecies and future-tellings. e.g. “This is the man, this is him whom you so often hear promised
you, Augustus Caesar, son of the deified, who will make a Golden Age again in the fields where
Saturn once reigned…” Virgil, Aeneid vi 791 f. What is important to note in this prophecy given by
Anchises is the reference to the fact that Augustus would one day make the Golden age, and that he
is the son of the ‘deified’ Julius Caesar. The Romans valued religion very highly, and by promising
peace Augustus was winning them over. Their national identity was at stake and Augustus assured
them of an era of peace in Rome, focused on reforming the city to even greater glory, its former
glory. This propaganda played exactly to the Roman’s desire to be the best in the world, and more
importantly the most favoured by the Gods. “On one side Augustus Caesar stands on the high stern,
leading the Italians into conflict with him the Senate, the People, the household gods, the great
gods, his happy brow shoots out twin flames, and his father’s star is shown on his head.” Virgil
Aeneid viii 678f. (3) In this section, Virgil has placed emphasis on the family line between Caesar and
Augustus. He also emphasises again the importance of all kinds of gods to the Roman people, and
their firm belief in them, even in the matters of keeping them safe in war. The reference to the twin
flames relates to the twins Romulus and Remus, the initial founders of Rome. Augustus is also given
a supernatural reference to the stars. These were all very important aspects of Augustus to the
Romans because we know that they placed their belief firmly in their tradition and the gods and the
way Virgil has linked Augustus to these in his writing shows us how influenced the Romans were to
put their faith in him as their ruler.
Horace, like most of the Romans, hated the times of civil wars especially since he had been involved
in them and feared what would happen if Augustus were to die, believing Rome would fall back into
chaos and treachery of war. (1) He supports Augustus, enjoying the era of peace and this view is
what many Romans shared. dius orte bonis, optume Romulae custos gentis, abes iam nimium diu;
maturum reditum pollicitus partum sancto consilio redi.Odes iv lines 1-5. Horace wrote this in a time
where Augustus had been away and obviously he had been worrying about what would happen if
Latin 3.4B Student 4
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Augustus were to disappear and the Empire was to collapse. Horace is flattering Augustus out of
fear. This is probably what a lot of the Roman population felt, supporting him out of fear as they
were so keen to see the end of the civil wars. The idea of an era of peace was so inviting that
Augustus gained a lot of the support he required to run a successful empire. Again in this passage,
like in Virgil’s, a reference has been made to his family ties, and also to Romulus himself. (2) These
references made would affirm the Romans’ belief in him when they read the piece because of their
everlasting values in their history, tradition, and the deity.
(1) The Carmen Saeculare is a hymn written by Horace which was commissioned by Augustus himself
in 17BC. The poem is in the form of a prayer to Apollo and Diana and represents a return to the
tradition of glorifying the Roman Pantheon. It also brings prominence to the patron god of Augustus,
Apollo. The prayer asks the Gods for the restoration and glorification of Rome, and make it as mighty
as they believe it should be. “Then you divinities, show our receptive youth virtue, grant peace and
quiet to the old, and give children and wealth to the people of Romulus and every glory” Horace
Carmen Saeculare.
These pieces of poetry reflect not only the attitude of the poets towards the emperor of Augustus
but also the citizens themselves. (2)The start of the Roman Empire saw the start of an era of relative
peace, which they had Augustus to thank for. Everyone was prepared to support him due to this
phase of peace. The poets give him supernatural characteristics, and make him appear as a great
hero. A welcome era of peace enforced by Augustus saw the people go back and restore their city,
further enforcing their love and dedication to the gods on the way and also reminding each other of
the importance of their history regarding Romulus and Remus, and the traditions they have always
followed.