Res Gestae Divi Augusti: Text, Translation, and Commentary by Augustus & Alison E. Cooley

Author:Augustus & Alison E. Cooley [Cooley, Alison E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2009-05-13T22:00:00+00:00

HONOURS FOR AUGUSTUS VIA HIS SONS (14)

Augustus laments the early demise of his adopted sons, who had received signal honours from senate and people, and equestrians, which in effect designated them as his successors, but which Augustus interprets as really honouring him. It is unclear whether he intended to set up a dual system of government through them, or whether he was adopting a ‘belt and braces’ approach, which, even so, did not in the event suffice to secure the succession. The account here fits closely with inscribed fragments from his Mausoleum (see introduction pp. 5–6; Hurlet (1997) 113–25 offers detailed discussion of chronological problems).

14.1 filios meos/My sons His grandsons Gaius (PIR2 C. Iulius Caesar 216) and Lucius (PIR2 L. Iulius Caesar 222), sons of his daughter Julia and Agrippa, were born in 20 BC (Dio Cass. 54.8.5) and 17 BC (Dio Cass. 54.18.1) respectively. A fragmentary calendar from Hispellum suggests that Gaius was born between 14 August and 13 September, and that Lucius was born between 14 June and 15 July (AE 1981.316; Vassileiou (1984b) 46–52; Hurlet (1997) 113). They were both adopted by Augustus in 17 BC (Dio Cass. 54.18.1; Vell. Pat. 2.96.1; Suet. Aug. 64.1), perhaps on 26 June (Hurlet (1997) 428–9 n. 55). Their dynastic significance was advertised on denarii minted at Rome in 13 BC, which depicted Augustus on their obverse, and Julia in between Gaius and Lucius on their reverse (Simon (1993) 72, 74 no. 28a = BM Coins, Rom. Emp. I 21 no. 106 = RIC I2 72 no. 404; Zanker (1988) 216 fig. 167b). The same image appears on an intaglio which was converted into a mediaeval signet ring (King (1885) 222, pl. XXXV.2; Vollenweider (1964) 76) (see Figure 18). In the same year, Gaius made a first public appearance by taking part in the Trojan Games (Dio Cass. 54.26.1), and both brothers appeared on the altar of Augustan Peace (Zanker (1988) 215–18, Hurlet (1997) 114–15; see also 12.2n. aram Pacis Augustae). As they grew older, their stylized portraits made them appear as miniature versions of Augustus, distinguishable from each other only by decoding the arrangement of locks in their hairstyles. This underlined their privileged place in society, offering a visual explanation of what it meant to be principes iuventutis (Zanker (1988) 219–20, with figs. 174–5; see also 14.2n. principem iuventutis).

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