Augustus

The princeps was superstitious Suet Aug 92 1.

On a night march Ibid., 29 3.

“from the fatigue and anxiety” Dio 53 25 7.

Livia accompanied her husband Tac Ann 334. Livia’s grandson Drusus made this claim in A.D. 21.

Livia was an able businesswoman For Livia’s business interests, see Barrett, chapter 9.

Marcus Primus, the governor of Macedonia Dio dates this episode and the Caepio plot to 22 B.C.; but Augustus’ presence is required and in that year he was abroad. Also by that time he had imperium maius and was entitled to interfere where he wished.

“The loftiest pines” Hor Odes 2104–8, 21–22. It is possible that the poem was written after Murena’s fall, but presented as prophetic.

The praetor, or presiding judge Dio 54 3 3.

“since he was notoriously rough-tongued” Ibid., 34.

abscesses on the liver Suet Aug 81 1.

“severe pain in the right part” Celsus 415.

“all cold things” Ibid.

It has been suggested See John Buchan, Augustus (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1937), p. 161.

a general and overriding proconsular authority There is a dispute whether this was maius imperium proconsulare, “greater proconsular authority,” allowing him to override or give orders to governors of the senatorial provinces, or aequum imperium proconsulare, “equal proconsular authority,” which would allow him to raise matters with governors but not to command them. The former is perhaps more probable (because of the discovery of five edicts from Cyrene that show Augustus intervening directly in provincial business: Ehrenberg and Jones Documents n 311, translated in Lewis and Rheinhold, Roman Civilization 236ff); if the latter, Augustus would have had to get his way by deploying his prestige, or auctoritas.

“secret coup d’état” Syme RR, p. 345.

“had felt that Augustus” Suet Aug 66 3.

Marcellus was not well disposed Dio 53 32 1.

“scandalous sending away of Agrippa” Pliny 7149.

“Fate shall allow the earth” Virg Aen 6 869–70, 882–86.

“sweet and strangely seductive” Suet Virg 32.

It was whispered that Livia Dio 53 33 4.

“You have made him” Ibid., 54 6 5.

“stepmother to ships” Aesch Prom 727.

poison had been sprinkled Tac Ann 110.

Nonius Asprenas Suet Aug 56 3.

XVIII. EXERCISING POWER

Dio is the main source, with Suetonius (his life of Augustus now being supplemented by that of Tiberius).

He was strongly and heavily built This description of Tiberius’ appearance and personality is drawn from Suet Tib 68. Contemporary statues and busts of him have also been used.

abstruse and unanswerable questions Suet Tib 70 3.

“I compelled the Parthians” Res Gest 29.

“better qualified to be a gladiator” Vell Pat 2913.

an ingenious scheme Dio 54 13.

“I don’t understand that!” Suet Aug 54.

In his official memoir For these expenses see Res Gest 16.

XIX. THE CULT OF VIRTUE

Dio provides the basic information. Virgil and Horace embody the Augustan regime’s aspirations in verse.

“Of late years” Livy.

“praised Pompey so warmly” Tac Ann 434.

“fashionable designations” Ibid.

“the righteous are set apart” Virg Aen 8 670.

“Turn not your country’s hand” Ibid., 6833.

“to seek to keep the constitution” Macr 2418.

“rule an Italy” Virg Aen 4 228–30.

“And here, here” Ibid., 6 791–94.

“large inconvenience of wealth” Hor Odes 3148.

“Family pride” Ibid., 32419–22.

“If we could get on without a wife” Aul Gell 16.

According to Suetonius Suet Aug 71 1.

“guide and command” Dio 54 16 4.

“Let us turn our minds” Ibid., 16 6.

the general population was rising Suet Aug 29 1, 46 1.

“preserve a significant distinction” Dio 56 33 3.

In later years The lex Fufia Caninia was passed in 2 B.C. and the lex Aelia Sentia in A.D. 4.

“You shall pay” Hor Odes 361–5.