Why Is Augustus Disguised Military Monarch

Paul Richter

History 104

Augustus and the Disguised Military Monarchy

Augustus was the founder of the Roman Empire, and a very successful emperor. Augustus was successful in creating a disguised military monarch because he was able to provide for people with his vast wealth, he managed to take Rome by conquest of land, and he declined any title that may have given him more power than other roman rulers.

When Augustus was a young boy he was adopted by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. When Caesar died in 44 BCE, Augustus was left with a very large sum of money, as well as two thirds of Caesar’s estate. Augustus used this new wealth to help improve his reputation by donating a lot of his money and land to better improve the roman empire. Some of the things he used his money for included investing large amounts into the roman treasury, and constructing many public buildings, giving away money and land to soldiers and citizens alike. (Res Gestae, 5-7) Augustus

(Res Gestae, 2) His success in conquering his enemies helped show the Romans that he had quite a bit of militant power, this helped him gain more support from the Roman people to continue to increase Rome’s power. Augustus had around 500,000 Roman citizens sworn to him, 300,000 of which he led into other colonies. Augustus managed to conquer Egypt and add it to the Roman rule in 30 BCE. After the conquest of Egypt, Augustus established colonies of soldiers in many places such as, Spain, Greece, Asia, Syria, and Africa. (Res Gestae, 8) By putting soldiers in these countries it allowed Augustus to grow the empire and gain the loyalty of the countries’ citizens. When Augustus conquered new land he “preferred to preserve rather than destroy,” he would allow citizens of the land to be spared as long as they swore fealty to him. (Res Gestae,