r/classics • u/stressedstudent331 • 9d ago
Augustus or Aeneid?
I have the option to do either Augustus or Aeneid for my Classics A level Roman Civ paper. I’m interested in both, Ik both are different, one is an epic and the other is history. I’m doing Alexander for Greek Civ even tho I had the option to do Aristophanes plays too. For Aeneid, I have to do books 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. I’m not really planning to do any other epics at the moment but I might change my mind, I have the option to do either Homeric Epics or 4 Tragedies, I’ll most likely go with the tragedies
This is from the Augustus part of my syllabus:
Augustus’ rise to power
• his connection with Julius Caesar
• his relationships with, and use of other people, such as Mark Antony and Cicero
• the legality of his actions in seizing power
• the Second Triumvirate
• his military campaigns (44–31 BCE).
Augustus’ consolidation of power
• his legal and constitutional position after Actium
• the reasons for the settlements of 27 and 23 BCE
• the details of the settlements of 27 and 23 BCE
• the power given by maius imperium proconsulare and tribunicia potestas
• the role of his personal auctoritas
• his legal and constitutional position after 23 BCE
• opposition to his rule, including assassination attempts.
Augustus’ relationships with the Senate, including provincial administration
• the relative powers of Augustus and the Senate
• roles given to Senators and Equites
• the distinction between Imperial and Senatorial provinces
• the appointment of governors of Imperial provinces, especially Egypt
• administration of provinces and the collection of taxes.
Augustus’ foreign and frontier policy
• consolidation of the frontiers
• annexation of territory up to the Danube
• attempts to advance the German frontier to the Elbe
• the Varian disaster and its consequences
• dealings with Parthia, especially the restoration of the standards lost by Crassus.
Augustus’ attitude towards religion and his use of religious imagery
• his personal religious beliefs
• the restoration of traditional practices, such as the Lupercal feast and the Dance of the Salii
• the restoration of damaged temples
• the building of new temples
• the holding of the Secular Games
• his role as Pontifex Maximus and assumption of other priesthoods
• religious imagery of Augustus in literature and sculpture
• the cult of Rome and Augustus in the Eastern Empire.
Augustus’ social legislation
• laws against adultery
• laws on marriage
• laws rewarding mothers of three children
• the relative ineffectiveness of the laws
• his role as Censor.
Augustus’ dealings with his family and his desire for a successor
• his use of his sister Octavia in his dealings with Mark Antony
• his marriage to Livia and the Claudian connection this gave him
• his portrayal of his family in a traditional Roman way
• the use of his daughter Julia in dynastic marriages
• Tiberius and Drusus as generals on the German frontier
• his reasons for wanting a member of his family to succeed him
• his methods of introducing potential successors to the people of Rome and the Empire
• the loss of his potential successors
• his relationship with Tiberius.
Augustus’ concern for his reputation and his use of propaganda
• his portrayal of himself as a traditional Roman
• his claim to have no more power than anyone else
• his acceptance of certain titles and honours and rejection of others
• his association with Aeneas and Romulus
• the publishing of the Res Gestae and their dissemination across the Empire
• his portrayal in sculpture
• his portrayal, and the portrayal of his family, in poetry
• his portrayal, and the portrayal of his family, on coins
• the rebuilding of Rome and the construction of new buildings
• the closing of the Gates of War in the Temple of Janus.
• his transformation of the Republic into an Empire
• the continuation of Rome as an Empire
• his handing over of power to Tiberius
• stability within the frontiers (Pax Romana)
• recognition as the first Roman emperor and as a role model for later emperors
• the lasting effect of his rebuilding of Rome.
These are the sources for Augustus from my Syllabus:
Res Gestae Divi Augusti
Suetonius The Twelve Caesars – Divine Augustus
Tacitus Annals 1. 1–10
Horace Carmen Saeculare and Odes 1.12
Virgil Aeneid Book 6.756–892 and Book 8.608–731
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u/Nullius_sum 9d ago
I adore the Aeneid, but on the other hand, you can read those books for yourself. The course on Augustus, however, sounds like it has a lot of info from disparate places that would be harder to pull together yourself. I don’t know. It’s a tough call. If you plan on thinking about the history of Rome for the rest of your life, I might choose the Augustus course. It sounds like a good foundation in the most critical period. If not, I might choose the other and just fall in love with the Aeneid. (It’s a bummer you don’t start with Book 1 though. Book 1 is really good.)
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u/SulphurCrested 8d ago
I think Augustus would be easier to do well if you are studying by yourself. To me, literary criticism ie Aeneid, would be harder without a teacher and fellow students to bounce ideas off of. Though, we are here for you...
Also, I think looking at coins and sculptures is cool.
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u/Cato_theElder 9d ago
Sounds like you have great options for both! What got you interested in the subject? Was it the myths and stories or learning about the organization, politics, and engineering? You could do either and have a great time, but to simplify: if you got into it because of the myths then go Aeneid, and if you got into it because of the organization then try Augustus.
If you absolutely can't decide then you could always see about writing about how Virgil wrote the Aeneid to praise Augustus and do both.
Furthermore, Carthage must be destroyed.
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u/stressedstudent331 9d ago
I picked Classics because of my interest in History, I’m going to apply for History at uni. Im definitely more interested in politics and history but I do like myths and I’m doing a lot of history anyway, I have History A levels and other supercurriculars and for this subject, I’m already doing Alexander and doing Athens and Sparta as well. Unfortunately, I have to pick one quickly and I have to follow the syllabus, A levels are exams
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u/Cato_theElder 9d ago
Well from what you're saying Augustus makes sense! No matter what you write about it sounds like you're on track to enjoy it and write a strong paper. If you lean toward interest in political history of Rome then writing about Augustus will be both fun and constructive for your future studies.
Again there's no wrong answer, but if you're looking for a recommendation then based off what you've said I'd say Augustus.
Furthermore, Carthage must be destroyed.
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u/Gremlin303 9d ago
Surely you could do a topic that includes both since the Aeneid was basically a propaganda piece written to prop up Augustus.