Ancient History · Year 12 · Significant Historical Periods · 3.º Período

The Augustan Age 44 BC – AD 14

An analysis of Augustus' consolidation of power and the establishment of the Principate. Students evaluate his political, social, and moral reforms.

TL;DR:The Augustan Age marks the definitive end of the Roman Republic and the birth of the Principate. This topic focuses on how Octavian, later Augustus, successfully consolidated power after decades of civil war. Students evaluate his political genius in maintaining the 'illusion' of the Republic while holding absolute authority, his social and moral reforms, and his use of art and architecture as propaganda.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• ACHAH125
• ACHAH126

About This Topic

The Augustan Age marks the definitive end of the Roman Republic and the birth of the Principate. This topic focuses on how Octavian, later Augustus, successfully consolidated power after decades of civil war. Students evaluate his political genius in maintaining the 'illusion' of the Republic while holding absolute authority, his social and moral reforms, and his use of art and architecture as propaganda.

Aligned with ACARA, this study requires students to analyze a wide range of sources, from the *Res Gestae* to the Ara Pacis. It challenges students to consider the cost of stability and the nature of political image-making. This period is ideal for active learning because it allows students to deconstruct the 'Augustan Settlement' through role-play or by acting as 'spin doctors' to analyze how Augustus rebranded himself from a ruthless warlord to the 'Father of the Fatherland'.

Key Questions

1. How did Augustus disguise his autocratic power?
2. What were the key features of the Augustan settlement?
3. How successful were Augustus' moral reforms?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Augustus was a beloved leader from the beginning.

What to Teach Instead

His early career as Octavian was marked by brutal proscriptions and civil war. Using a 'before and after' character analysis in a think-pair-share helps students understand the massive PR campaign required to transform his public image.

Common Misconception

The Republic was 'restored' as Augustus claimed.

What to Teach Instead

While the outward forms remained, the reality was a military autocracy. A collaborative mapping of the 'Augustan Settlement' helps students see how he held all the actual power (tribunician power and proconsular imperium) while appearing to be just a 'first citizen'.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

The Res Gestae

Students work in groups to analyze specific sections of Augustus's own account of his life. They must find one 'truth,' one 'omission,' and one 'exaggeration,' then present their findings to the class to show how he shaped his legacy.

45 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk

Augustan Propaganda

Display images of the Prima Porta Augustus, the Ara Pacis, and various coins. Students move in pairs to identify symbols of peace, divinity, and military strength, explaining how each image reinforced Augustus's right to rule.

30 min·Pairs

Simulation Game

The Senate Meeting of 27 BC

Students role-play a meeting of the Roman Senate where Augustus 'returns' his powers. Some students act as skeptical senators and others as supporters, debating whether this is a restoration of the Republic or a clever political trap.

50 min·Whole Class

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Augustan Settlement'?

The Augustan Settlement refers to the series of legal arrangements in 27 BC and 23 BC where Augustus ostensibly returned his emergency powers to the Senate. In exchange, he was given 'imperium' over key provinces and the 'tribunician power' for life. This allowed him to control the army and veto legislation while claiming he was merely a 'Princeps' (first citizen) rather than a king.

How did Augustus use the 'Res Gestae'?

The *Res Gestae Divi Augusti* is a funerary inscription written by Augustus himself. It serves as a final piece of propaganda, listing his achievements, donations to the people, and military victories. It carefully omits his rivals and the more brutal aspects of his rise to power, framing his reign as a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity.

What were Augustus' moral reforms?

Augustus introduced laws (the Lex Julia) to encourage marriage and child-rearing among the upper classes and to punish adultery. He believed that the civil wars were a result of moral decay and sought to return Rome to traditional family values. However, these laws were difficult to enforce and were often unpopular even among his own family.

How can active learning help students understand Augustus?

Active learning, such as a 'propaganda analysis' gallery walk, helps students see Augustus not just as a historical figure, but as a master of communication. By physically moving between different pieces of art and coins, students learn to 'read' the visual language of power. This makes the abstract concept of political consolidation much more concrete and helps them understand how he maintained control for over 40 years.