Augustus and the Reshaping of Public Spectacles in Rome

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Augustus and the Reshaping of Public Spectacles
in Rome
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SUMMARY

• Political Background the principate of Augustus
• Spectacles in the Res Gestae
• Contexts of gladiatorial munera in Augustan Rome
• Senators and princeps
• Segregated seating

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Political Background

• Imperator Caesar Augustus princeps
• the restitution of the res publica
• Augustus as civilis princeps
• The return of peace and the refounding of Rome
• Establishing a legacy and dynasty

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Battle of Actium 2 September 31
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Imperator Caesar Augustus The restitution of
the res publica

• Res gestae 34.1 I transferred the res publica
  from my powers to the senate and people of Rome
  (SPQR)
• Consul in 33, 31-23, but then again only in 5 and
  2 BC (died in AD 14)
• Res gestae 34.3 I excelled all in influence
  (auctoritas) although I possessed no more
  official powers than others who were my
  colleagues in my several magistracies.

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Augustus as civilis princeps
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Ara Pacis Augustae
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Peace through ConquestAugustus of the Prima
Porta
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Spectacles in the Res Gestae (esp. chs. 22-23)

• RG 22-23

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Contexts of munera gladiatoria in Augustan Rome

• Imperial family funerals
• Triumphal
• New Buildings
• After crises ?
• Ludi, esp. Quinquatrus (Minerva)
• Imperial monopoly in Rome?

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• Magistrates sponsoring munera et venationes
• Private, elite funerary spectacles?
• Restricting legislation of 22 BC (Dio 54.2)
• Segregated seating lex Iulia theatralis (18
  BC??) Suet. Aug. 44.

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Segregated seating in the theatre Lex Iulia
theatralis (?18 BC)