Cognitive Verbs
Define Explain.
To describe or clarify information in historical sources with detail and reasoning.
Who were Augustus’ favorite poets according to Clarke’s excerpt?
Virgil and Varius
How do both Horace and Pliny’s texts show Augustus’ efforts to connect his rule with Rome’s religious beliefs?
In Horace’s hymn, Augustus is associated with divine blessings and is credited with renewing Rome’s prosperity and morals through marriage laws and religious festivals. Pliny’s account shows Augustus interpreting a comet as a sign of Julius Caesar’s divinity, which indirectly supports Augustus as Caesar’s chosen successor. Together, these sources show Augustus aligning his rule with divine favor and Roman religious traditions.
Is Pliny the Elder reliable and useful?
Pliny the Elder (c. 23 CE – 79 CE) was a Roman military commander, administrator and writer. He was a member of advisory councils to both emperors Vespasian and Titus. Natural History is a 37-volume encyclopedia about the natural world.
Student answers will vary
Who wrote the Res Gestae?
Augustus
Define Comprehend.
To understand the basic details and explicit meaning of historical sources.
How did Augustus feel about poets writing about him, according to Clarke?
He listened patiently but preferred only the best poets to write about him.
What role do symbols like the sun in Horace’s hymn and the comet in Pliny’s account play in shaping Augustus’ image?
In Horace’s hymn, the sun symbolizes Rome’s enduring strength, with Augustus as its guiding force in establishing a new era. In Pliny’s account, the comet symbolizes Julius Caesar’s divinity, which Augustus uses to claim divine favor for himself. Both symbols reinforce the idea that Augustus’ rule is part of a cosmic order, sanctioned by the gods.
How reliable and useful is Suetonius?
Suetonius (c. 69 CE – after 122 CE) wrote Lives of the Caesars, a series of biographies describing the public and private lives of Roman emperors, including Augustus. He worked in the imperial archives and was secretary to Emperor Hadrian until being dismissed in 122 CE.
Student answer will vary
What are some limitations of Odes as a historical source?
glorifies rulers, uses exaggeration, don't provide facts
Define Analyse.
To examine the components of historical sources using features of evidence.
What did Horace do to show his sense of obligation to Augustus?
Horace left all his property to Augustus.
How does Augustus use religious events, like the Saecular Games and the appearance of the comet, to emphasize his authority and position in Roman society?
Augustus revived the Saecular Games to mark a new era, using Horace’s hymn to celebrate Rome’s prosperity and align his leadership with religious renewal. The comet during the games honoring Venus allowed Augustus to claim divine favor, associating himself with Caesar’s deification. By linking these events to his rule, Augustus emphasized his unique role in Rome’s destiny and his connection to the gods.
How reliable and useful is Tacitus?
Tacitus (c. 56 CE – after 117 CE) was a Roman historian who wrote a number of biographical and historical works, including the Annals, which covered the reigns of Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius and Nero.
Student answer will vary
How did Augustus use the comet to solidify his own power?
Spirit of julius caesar, connects to the Gods, related to Caesar
Define Evaluate.
To make judgments about the reliability and/or usefulness of a source.
What does Virgil’s will reveal about his relationship with Augustus and Maecenas?
Virgil left one-quarter of his money and property to Augustus and one-tenth to Maecenas, indicating a greater sense of obligation to Augustus.
In both sources, how is Augustus linked to divine figures or cosmic events, and what message does this send about his leadership?
Augustus is linked to divine figures like Venus (through Caesar’s ancestry) and cosmic events like the comet, positioning him as part of a divine lineage. In Horace’s hymn, he is also associated with gods like Ceres and Jupiter, who bless Rome under his rule. This suggests that Augustus’ leadership is fated and blessed, portraying him as a ruler chosen to bring Rome into a new age of prosperity and stability.
How reliable and useful is Cassius Dio?
Cassius Dio (c. 164 CE – after 229 CE) was a Greek-born Roman senator. He wrote an 80-book history of Rome from mythical times to 229 CE.
Student Answer will vary.
How did Augustus use coins to communicate his power and achievements to the Roman people?
Augustus used coins to portray himself as a bringer of peace and stability, with symbols like the Pax (peace) holding an olive branch or laurel wreath, and images of himself depicted as youthful and god-like. Some coins also displayed his victories, such as a depiction of the naval victory at Actium.
Define synthesise.
To combine information from multiple sources to form a complete and cohesive argument.
How did the establishment of the principate affect the relationship between poets and their patrons?
It complicated the relationship, as there was always someone above the patrons (Augustus) who had a greater claim to be celebrated in poetry.
Compare how Horace and Pliny portray Augustus’ use of public rituals and celestial signs. How might these portrayals have influenced Roman perceptions of his power and his relationship with the gods?
Horace portrays Augustus as the orchestrator of a new age, blessed by gods and nature, which supports a positive image of Augustus as a divinely favored leader. Pliny’s account, though written later, suggests Augustus’ clever manipulation of the comet’s appearance to imply his divine right to rule as Caesar’s heir. Together, these portrayals may have strengthened Roman perceptions of Augustus as a ruler with divine approval, enhancing his authority and solidifying his role as both a political and spiritual leader in the Roman world.
How reliable and useful is Paterculus?
Velleius Paterculus (c. 19 BCE – c. 31 CE) was a Roman soldier and senator. He wrote his Roman history during the reign of Tiberius, Augustus’ successor.
Student answer will vary.
How does the Res Gestae reflect Augustus’ self-presentation and his views on power, particularly in the line “I exceeded all in influence, but I had no greater power than the others”?
This line shows Augustus’ portrayal of himself as a servant of the state, emphasizing moral authority and influence rather than overt power to maintain the facade of the Republic.