Arcana Imperii: Secrets of the Empire

“Everywhere we have felt the prudent genius of Augustus at work…He could not turn back time, but he could, and did, place the mark of his greatness in an enduring fashion on the mother city of the Western civilized world (Rowell 231).” These are the words of the author of Rome In The Augustan Age that ends the book itself. Augustus’ reforms and political canny have made its mark in ancient and modern history. The Roman Empire is, today, an important period of Rome’s history that we draw on for guidance. However, for the Roman republic to function properly it had to become an empire, with an emperor, rather than elected officials, ruling the land. Augustus saw this and in this paper the case will be made for the necessity of the empire.

There had been many civil wars and revolts and Rome needed the stability of a sole ruler. With one ruler heading Rome, everything was brought under a unified command. Unified command is essential for a government to work properly especially if that government is to accomplish anything of importance.

Recently there had been the civil war between Augustus’ adopted father, Julius Caesar, and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey). This war was for the control of Rome after the first triumvirate and was decided in 48 B.C. in the battle of Pharsalus. Caesar was the victor. He was now the monarch ruler of Rome, however it would not last. With Caesar’s assassination, Octavian (Augustus) was thrust into Roman politics.

Octavian became part of the second triumvirate and after that was dissolved he fought Marcus Antonius (Antony) for sole rule of the Roman republic. All the while, Rome was becoming an empire under the guiding hand of Octavian. The Senate gave him the title of Augustus in 29 B.C. along with others, and in exchange for near absolute power, a period of peace came to Rome. Wisely keeping the Senate in place, even though he controlled the representatives, Augustus continued to advance Rome’s borders and paid his army extremely well. He also beautified the city of Rome, which delighted the Roman citizens. All in all, every citizen was happy and Rome was growing in prosperity. “The task of the future was to use this power wisely in the service of peace (Rowell 49).”

The republic form of government used by Rome before Augustus took control was a form of government meant for a city-state and was not qualified to rule an empire with distant lands. Augustus was ready to reorganize this dying republic. There was only the question of how to do this while keeping the mores maiorum, the ways of the ancestors.

Augustus had to preserve the appearances of the traditional Roman government. The republic had been in place for more than a century and it could not be replaced overnight. The Senate was kept and the Senators were still allowed to discuss matters, however all Senators were hand-picked by Augustus. The Senate was now like a puppet government and was under the whim of Augustus. “Augustus never did away with these institutions, he merely united them under one person – himself also retained command of the provinces, which needed protection against foreigners. This was insightful because he kept command of most of the army should anyone happen to rise against him. The Praetorian Guard was also instituted at this time for the protection of the emperor’s person and Rome itself.

For forty years there was an age of growth in the empire. These forty years were the beginning of two hundred years of peace that would come to be known as Pax Romana or Peace of Rome. Augustus was the main instigator of this peace not only because of the reforms he made, but also the act of putting the entirety of Rome under one sovereignty.

Having the stability of a sole ruler allowed the citizens of Rome to relax and enjoy the prosperity of their civilization. Being an empire allowed for increased prosperity and cultural advancements that would not have existed had Rome remained a republic. Peace meant the Latin culture had the opportunity to expand and create great works. As Josef Pieper says in Leisure, The Basis of Culture, “Culture depends for its very existence on leisure, and leisure, in its turn is not possible unless it has durable and consequently living link with a church community and with divine worship.” Rome may not have been Christian at the time of Augustus, but it did have its own religious base. In fact one of Augustus’ titles was Pontifex Maximus (chief priest). The Romans had their religious base for their civilization and all this shows the stability of Rome’s existence.

Prosperity increased during the beginning of the Pax Romana. The Mediterranean acted as a trade road, bringing the gifts of Egypt and the East to Italy. Turkey’s treasures were being shown to all corners of the known world. Roman ideas and ideals spread throughout all that Augustus ruled. Provinces in what is now called Europe were added. The borders of the empire were safe guarded by a ruler who had practically all of the army under his command. Prosperity abounded.

Culture expanded as well. Rowell says, ”Moreover, Rome in literature and art never seemed more Roman than in this Age of Augustus (9).” During the Age of Augustus, Horace, Livy, Ovid, and Virgil flourished, however they still had to give credit to Augustus’ genius. Virgil’s Aeneid was published during Augustus’ rule and is described as such: “It proclaimed the imperial mission of the Roman Empire but at the same time could pity Rome's victims and feel their grief Horace was another of Rome’s great poets. His first published work, the first book of Satires, was published in 35 B.C. Together these writers and poets help us to remember what Rome was in the days of the Empire and in the Pax Romana.

This was the glory that was Rome. She was the home of Julius Ceasar, Augustus, Cicero, and Virgil. Most importantly, she was one of the most influential western cities. Her politics and economics still echo in our American history. Today Rome still has her greatness by being the Vatican’s home and by hosting beautiful, romantic ruins. However, Rome would not be seen as she is today unless there had been an empire ruled from this fabled city. And this empire made all the difference in Rome’s history as well as world history.

Works Cited:
Henry Thompson. Rome In The Augustan Age. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1962.