CLAS / HIST 4091
/ 5091 The
Lecture 4.
The Customs of Our Ancestors:
Augustan Society
I. Transgressions (Horace Odes
3.6, 23 BC)
-Neglect
of Gods - defeat - moral decay
-Mos Maiorum (custom
of the ancestors)
II. Religion and the Restoration of the Past
A.
RG
19-20 builds 14 new temples; rebuilds 82 old temples
B.
Cult Restoration
Revives
old cults: fratres Arvales; Flamen dialis
C.
Religion everywhere with Augutus at center
Comprehensive reform (Suet. Aug. 31)
Compitalia
(neighborhood shrines cared for by freedmen; genius Augusti = guardian spirit of
Augustus)
Member
of all 4 priestly colleges (RG 67; images; coins)
III. Restoration of the Senate
A.
Senate Revised (28 BC, 18, 11, AD 4)
Control
of Elections: nominatio and commendatio
Ordo Senatorius (The
Senatorial Order)
Property
Qualification (1,000,000 HS)
Restricts status symbols (latus clavis = broad stripe) to senators sons
= hereditary
New Offices (Senatorial prefects): Urban Prefect; Legati Augusti
Status
conscious; rigid: Old aristocracy loses power
C.
Ordo Equester (The Equestrian Order = “Knights”)
Property
Qualification (400,000 HS)
Growing Role:
Praetorian Prefects; provincial prefects; procurators
IV. Family Values
A.
Adultery: Julian Law on Curbing Adultery, 18 BC
B.
Marriage: Julian Law on Classes Needing to Marry, 18 BC
Lex Papia Poppaea, AD 9
-Privileges
and Penalties: (ius trium liberorum = right of three children)
-State
interference in family life; children; morality (Ara Pacis = Altar of Peace)
V. Freedmen
A.
Dionysius of
B. Lex Fufia Caninia, 2 BC = limit manumission (freeing of slaves) in a
will
Lex Aelia Sentia,
AD 4 = limits manumission of
criminals; control ages of freedmen / masters at manumission
C.
State interference - citizenship
VI. The Golden Age
"Secular
[century] Games," 17 BC; Horace Secular
Hymn; Ara pacis “Tellus Relief”
