How Did Augustus Improve Roman Government

Augustus

Augustus was the first emperor of Rome and was the self proclaimed “Restorer of the Republic. “His ancestral values were monogamy, chastity and piety. Therefor he created many political reforms that would improve the roman society and create a new Roman Government. The reason for the reforms was to revive the traditional Roman religions. To succeed in this Augustus restored public monuments such as temples to the Gods and constructed many more. An example would be his construction of the Ara Pacis Augustine, which contained symbols and scenes of religious rites and ceremonies, as well as Augustus and his “ideal” Roman family, this was all meant to inspire Roman pride. After Augustus’s movement in religion, he sought to renew the practice

of worship. So as a result Augustus revived the “priesthoods” and got appointed Pontifex Maximus (religious leader).

This gave Augustus total power over Rome being the government leader and religious leader and since religion had such an influence on Rome’s society he had a huge amount of influence. Just like he used religion to restore moral standards Augustus also enacted social reforms as a way to improve morality. He did this in was such encouraging fertility and big families and discouraging adultery. To encourage this he rewarded families with 3 or more children especially if they were sons. This came from his belief that too few children were born from legitimate marriages where there was no adultery. To discourage bachelors Augustus raised additional tax on men who were unmarried and older than 38. To further discourage bachelors these men were also not allowed to receive inheritance and attending gladiatorial games. Augustus also made divorce laws much more strict as well as making adultery a civil crime meaning. Augustus was so strict he even allowed his own daughter Julia to be banished after this new law. This showed Augustus wasn’t biased and that even family wouldn’t affect his decision. His political, social, religious and moral reforms helped to bring stability and security, and probably most importantly, prosperity to the Roman Empire that had previously been in a

time of chaos.

Ara Pacis
The Ara Pacis was commissioned in honour of Augustus the first emperor of Rome. Ara Pacis represented the peace with Gaul and Spain and was used by Augustus to reflect his vision of Rome. The Ara Pacis was built in the 9 BCE on the field of Mars and was dedicated to Pax, which translates to time of peace where Augustus was bale to bring peace to Rome. Since Augustus brought the peace he would often be called Pax Augusta

The friezes on the exterior screen wall on the north and south side show the procession of the consecration ceremony in 13 BC.

These sides have life size figures in a procession. The north side procession has senator’s, officials some with their wives and children showing Augustus legislation for families, and member of the imperial family. The southern side has Augustus wreathed and draped which according to R.Hannah echoes priestly dress.

The friezes on the exterior screen wall on the east and west sides show figures and landscape. On the east side there are the mythological figures of Tellus and Roma with Romulus and Remus on the western side. Romulus and Remus were the founders of Rome and so by putting them on the Ara Pacis Augustus is further enforcing the fact that he will turn Rome back to it’s former glory. To one side of the eastern entrance an armored depiction of the goddess Roma is seated, this symbolized the Roman victories and also that Rome was at Peace.

On the east side there is an unknown woman sitting amongst nature with 2 smaller naked women either side of her. The Woman has 2 infant and some fruit sitting on her lap and a sheep and cow at her feet. The depiction of the 2 infants represents fertility and the setting represents prosperity and peace. The 2 naked females either side is believed to personify sea and water, wind and air meaning the elements are subject to Augustus and so therefore everything was in

harmony.

On the western entrance there the depiction of Romulus and Remus with the wolf and Mars was. This is represented the beginning of Rome, the spirit of the roman people and their link with the Gods. On the other side of the western entrance the mythical Aeneas is carved with his head covered in a toga like a priest at a sacrifice. In the carving there is also 2 youths to the left and Achtes to the right. Aeneas is about to sacrifice a pig to Penates. This scene reminds any viewers of Aeneas’ devotion to the Gods and his. Augustus was the descendent of Romulus who was the founder of Rome; this made Augustus symbolize true Rome.