Sunday, 27 October 2019

Did Augustus Restore the Republic? Tacitus 2.1,3.1

Does the writer agree that Augustus restored the Republic?
  • NO
  • Tacitus writes of Augustus in an unfavourable way. For example: "he gradually increased his power, arrogating to himself the functions of the Senate, the magistrates, and the law"
  • Arrogating means taking/claiming something without justification
  • Tacitus doesn't seem to agree that Augustus restored the Republic and paints him as a bad person seizing power
  • "He faced no opposition, since the bravest souls had died in battle or fallen victim to proscription" - implies that Augustus was evil and would've have to be stopped by someone brave
  • He makes Augustus sound like a dictator
What powers does the writer claim that Augustus had?
  • "he gradually increased his power, arrogating to himself the functions of the senate, the magistrates, and the law"
  • "content to defend the people by virtue of the tribunician power"
What powers does the writer claim Augustus refused?
  • The writer doesn't mention any powers that Augustus refused
What are the limitations of the source?
  • Tacitus was sceptical of Augustus due to living under the rule of a tyrant
  • He lived one hundred years after the events he writes of, so he is bound to be inaccurate in some places

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