Why was Augustus a Good Leader: Unveiling his Leadership Achievements

Why Was Augustus a Good Leader?

Augustus became a well-known political administrator; he used manipulative techniques such as statues, monuments, and coins to gain popularity in Rome. After Octavian (Augustus) addresses the senate, in return, the senate gives him power over Rome, and they soon give him the name Augustus. By this time, he’d gained enough power to rule Rome as an emperor, and to ensure this, his image was promoted through the empire by artifacts.

Military Brilliance and Strategic Rule

Augustus was a brilliant war general; he constructed many rules and enforced a lot of monuments and sculptures around Rome to prove his power.

They suggested that he was “commander par excellence,” and he lived up to the name “The Imperator.” These artifacts secured his supremacy in the triumvirate after he replaced Lepidus. His rivalry with Antony for the mastership of Rome became apparent. Augustus even began to win over some of Antony’s supporters; many Romans loved Augustus’s campaign. His sculptures, monuments, and/or artifacts showed everything he did for Rome. This art reflected the different functions of, and it also developed his authority. When Augustus defeated his rivals at the battle of Actium in 31 BCE to end the civil wars, his success continued. Many say, “The rule of Augustus was long and successful, keeping Rome free from any major form of conflict for more than two centuries.” I believe this to be true because Augustus developed one of the most sophisticated and protective legionaries that improved Rome’s survival rate.

Effective Administrative Skills

Some things in Rome Augustus did not reorganize, like the senate or the law courts, but overall, he was also recognized to be a magnificent administrator. While he was emperor, he ordered a consistent taxation duration on the provinces in the Roman Empire. Two main taxes were poll tax (paid by adults in most provinces but by males only) and land tax. Also, indirect taxes for 4%. In America, we have taxes to pay for the White House bill and any other governmental bills. In some states, we also have extra tax on a purchase we make. Unlike Rome, the United States does not give a specific tax to only one gender. It is varied. It was said by Tacitus, “His legacies were in keeping with the standards of ordinary citizens, except that he left 43,500,000 sesterces to the nation and people of Rome, a thousand to every Guardsman, five hundred each to the troops of the capital, three hundred to every citizen soldier, whether he belonged to a regular brigade or to an auxiliary battalion.” This means that Augustus found Rome bankrupt but planned on leaving it rich. A bust of Augustus in Munich strongly depicts his message.

Social Reforms and Crime Control

Augustus ordered this for the safety of the Romans within the city. It was also an act to cut down crime in Italy and the city of Rome. Romans did not believe in the right to bear arms. Inside the city of Rome, outlined by an invisible religious line called pomerium, no weapons are supposed to be carried. Armed soldiers were supposed to practice war outside the city. Like our administrative government, we struggle with guns. Nowadays, you can’t carry a gun freely without a license, and there are certain places where you can’t bring them. In America, we struggle with this gun problem. For example, most shootings are drug or money-related. With guns in the streets, this can be a big problem. Augustus, “The emperor Augustus appears to have believed that more weapons did not equal more protection for citizens. He banned the carrying of weapons during assemblies or in judicial proceedings. To cut down on banditry” Forbes paragraph 6. He banned the carrying of weapons during assemblies or in judicial proceedings. In the words of the great historian Tacitus: ‘Augustus gradually increased his powers, taking over those of the senate, the executives, and the laws.” His artifact shows soldiers taking citizens’ weapons; that sculpture made Augustus’ movement stick.

Religious Influence and Unification

Sometimes, Augustus would take the title of pontifex Maximus or chief priest. Many Romans performed rituals to bring victory to the Romans in battle. Religion played a major role in Roman development; the beginning of Roman religion was Polytheistic. Rome added Greek Gods to their collection of beliefs. Now, most people in the US worship monotheism, aka one God. But others do worship more than one, maybe even Roman Gods themselves. Christianity, for example, Jesus is the God they worship, and true Christians live their life by his script. Judaism, on the other hand, celebrates several Gods. As the Roman empire grew, they adopted Jewish and Christian culture/religion. One of his artifacts showed three Goddesses on a panel of the Augustan Ara Pacis; there were three immortal Gods nurturing little children. Back then, the church was the perfect way to gain followers, and this is just what Augustus did.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe Augustus’ propaganda did help him be a more powerful leader. In military, religious, judicial, and administrative, Augustus changed Rome in a good way. His propaganda was just a constant reminder of what he did for Rome. Each artifact, sculpture, and monument proved Augustus’ authority over Rome.

References:

1. Tacitus, Annals, Book I, 8. Retrieved from: http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/tacitus/tac.ann1.shtml

2. Forbes, Christopher. “Did the Romans Really Ban Firearms? A Modest Proposal.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 6 June 2015. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/drsarahbond/2015/06/06/did-the-romans-really-ban-firearms-a-modest-proposal/#7db9cfd6634f

3. Suetonius, The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, “Augustus,” 101. Retrieved from: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Augustus*.html

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