Augustus: This Is Your Life

This TV program is probably the reason I got so interested in Augustus. It is a fairly unbiased view of his life but, because it deals only with the facts, it left me with many questions about Augustus. I could only get the script for some of the narration but I’ll post what I’ve got.  I’ll write more on the controversial nature of Augustus’ life later.

Augustus: This Is Your Life! (Script from the TV show)

Born in September 23, 63 BC, you were born into a politically important family. Your parents died early on and you were left to forge your career by yourself. Thankfully, your Great Uncle Julius Caesar made you his heir, giving you a boost into the political sphere. When you were 18, Julius Caesar died, leaving you to make the most of his political legacy. You accepted your role as Caesar’s heir and returned to Italy to claim your inheritance. When in Rome, you did as the Romans do and demanded one of the vacant consulships from the Senate. When they refused, you supported an Army which seized the city. While many claimed this was paramount to a military coup, you maintained it was for the good of Rome. From 43BC, you were part of the Second Triumvirate.  Marc Anthony and Lepidus were also members of this political arrangement. This triumvirate ruled for the prescribed 5 years, and then was renewed for another 5. Within this period, Anthony left for the east and you ensured that Lepidus was sidelined, leaving you to take political control of Rome. You then proceeded to lead a series of military engagements against Pompey Sextus which you lost. Never one to give up, you turned you attention to Anthony. By this time, the triumvirate was expired, leaving you with the political power and Anthony as an outcast and rebel. In 32 BC, you waged open war against Anthony. In 31 BC you defeated the joint forces of Anthony and his Mistress Cleopatra at sea at the Battle of Actium. They fled to Alexandria where they both committed suicide, leaving Egypt under Roman control. With your main political rival dead, you felt sufficiently secure to transfer your power back to the Senate. The Senate, which was full of your cronies, insisted that you retain your power, and thus, in 27 BC, you became the Princeps or first citizen or Rome. You were made Pontifex Maximus or chief priest in the year 12 BC. Then you used the power from your religious and political positions to create laws that encouraged family values, laws some considered ironic given your reputation as a ladies man. You were, however, horrified when your daughter Julia was indicted in scandalous circumstances. In 2 BC, she was arrested for adultery and treason. She was convicted and you exiled her to an Island for the rest of her life.  You died on the 19^th of August in the year 14 AD. You left the Roman Empire which continued to develop and thrive for the next 400 years.

The historical background of this segment:

The majority of this information is historical fact. It is fairly certain that Augustus was born September 23, 63 BC and that his political career consisted of the events described. Ancient History, Studies of Power, Ancient Rome, Using Evidence and World Book Encyclopaedia, were used as sources for this TV segments and they are all reliable secondary sources. While the events recorded certainly occurred, the motivation behind many of Augustus’ actions is, however less evident, particularly in regards to his attempts to gain power. It is unclear whether he took power in order to protect Rome or because he believed he should rule it. While his motivation is unclear, his political career reveals a careful and calculating ruler who acted in a way contrary to his heroic persona.