Beyond the Boundaries of Fantasia: An ancient imagining of the future of leadership

Step Five: Augustus' Honours and His Parthian Successes of 20 BCE--"Honorific" Coin Types (01:00)

In this unit, we will examine a case study based on two associated themes about Augustan leadership that are reflected on coins – the honours awarded to Augustus by the Senate and the people of Rome and Augustus’ Parthian success of 20 BC. In the period between c. 19-16 BC, coins minted in Pergamum, Spain, and Rome depicted honours voted for or requests granted to Augustus by the Senate and the Roman people.  Moreover, the legend SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus) is seen for the first time as well as CAESARI AVGVSTO (to/for Caesar Augustus) and IMP CAESARI (to/for Imperator Caesar).  In 42 BC, Augustus vowed to build a temple of Mars Ultor if he were victorious in avenging the assassination of his adoptive father Julius Caesar. This vow, however, remained unfulfilled until 20 BC when it renewed after the Roman battle standards lost to Parthia in 53, 40, and 36 BC were returned through a diplomatic settlement.  Nevertheless, Augustus made his Parthian success of 20 BC the center of a grand “propagandistic” program, the principal theme of his new forum, and the reason for renewing his vow to build a temple to Mars Ultor.  One of the ways Augustus commemorated his Parthian success was by issuing related coinage in c. 19-16 BC in Pergamum, Spain, and Rome.

Some general questions for consideration and discussion:
  1. Why was it important to emphasize that honours were awarded to Augustus by the Senate and the people of Rome?  Does the approval of the Senate and the people of Rome suggest the “legitimization” of Augustus’ leadership?
  2. Why do you think that consensus and constitutionality is a key Augustan theme?
  3. Can you think of events from Augustus’ life which exemplify each of these four virtues (courage, clemency, justice, and piety)?  Why are these four virtues so important for Augustus?  How do these virtues reflect good leadership?
  4. What was the significance of a victory over the East? Can you think of a Hellenistic monarch who also conquered the region of Parthia (hint: the Parthians were considered to be the reincarnation of the Persians)?

Listening for Leadership

Possible Group Activity

This page has paths: