Summary
The *Res Gestae Divi Augusti* presents Augustus's own account of his achievements and claims to legitimacy, aiming to persuade his audience of his beneficent rule and right to power. He meticulously lists his accomplishments, framing them as public services and restorations of republican traditions, rather than monarchical usurpations. The text highlights his military victories, civic improvements, religious restorations, and financial distributions to the populace.
A reader of the *Res Gestae* understands Augustus's strategic self-representation as a princeps who saved Rome from chaos and restored order and prosperity. The document serves as foundational propaganda for his new imperial system, emphasizing his piety, generosity, and dedication to the Roman people and state. It functions as a blueprint for imperial legitimacy, defining the ideal ruler through a catalogue of deeds.
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Key concepts
- Princeps Civitatis — The "First Citizen," Augustus's self-styled title, emphasizing his position as a leading citizen rather than an absolute monarch.
- auctoritas — Augustus claims and displays his moral and political authority, derived from his achievements and perceived divine favor.
- Res Publica Restituta — The "Restoration of the Republic," a key claim that Augustus presented his rule as a return to traditional Roman values and institutions, not a revolution.
- Pietas — Augustus emphasizes his devotion to the gods and Roman religious traditions through his restoration of temples and ceremonies.