Prof Heidi Amelia-Anne Weber
Augustus

(1)
Is the title, "Emperor" a title which Romans of Augustus' day would have recognized and honored? Would a Roman citizen in the year 15 BCE, attending the games, have regarded Octavian as, "the Emperor Augustus" or a despot? Was such a view colored, in any way, by Octavian's assumption of the imperium majus and tribunicia potestas?

To the Roman people, the term king as a means to designate their leader was one that denoted negative connotations. The
title "rex" served as a reminder of the reign of the Tarquins where tyranny had created a hostile society. With the emergence of Gaius Julius Caesar coupled with his triumphant return to Rome, Caesar capitalized on the unpopularity of all the previous forms of government and created his own. His mere presence seemed to promote an air of security that seemed to have been lacking for generations. Through political savvy and military might, Caesar made himself appear to be what Rome had been deficient. Appealing to the masses as well as the Senate, he was bestowed with the title of Dictator, which was given a lifetime extension, effectively turning Rome into a military despotism. His rule proved relatively brief, for Caesar's inability to persecute his enemies brought his ultimate demise. His successor would not repeat these errors.
Gaius Octavius, after a struggle to claim his rightful place as Caesar's heir, would bring a new component to the realm of power in the Roman Empire. With his glorious victory at Actium and measures that hinted he was working towards the restoration of the Republic, the Senate bestowed great honors upon him. In sure political ingenuity, Octavian claimed, after the institution of measures to stabilize Rome, that his mission was complete and that the job too great for one to maintain. Technically ruling as a rex but allowing the people to maintain the sensation that they were part of the government, the concept of res publica was embedded into the heritage and civilization of Rome. In a means to prevent thei rleader from abandoning his position, a new title was conferred upon Caesar's heir, that of Augustus, which provided religious undertones
to the power of the position of princeps. This was initial instance of this title being granted to a living ruler and provided him
with "…the power to begin everything auspiciously." Augustus stood as the first emperor of Rome. An astute individual,
he was fully aware of the great challenges that lay before him, for the people had lived through tumultuous decades and numerous changes in government. They were anxious for peace and stability. As emperor, Augustus was fully aware of his own inadequacies, though protective enough of his own power as to not reveal them. He created a false sense of security among the Roman populace by granting an assurance that they still all held on to the traditional rights and freedoms that had been generated under the Republic.
Augustus helped devise the illusion that his government served the interests of the population's civil liberties and served as a civil government. In actuality, an autocracy had been created. Augustus was well aware of the diversity of people and cultures found within his empire. The ability to maintain the loyalty and acceptance of the general populace was a daunting task. Incorporating divi Julii filus, he brought emphasis on the divinity of his family, which he in turn used in attempt to solidify the people. In creating a need of worship, both of the state and of the ruler, the people were unified as Romans.
Though in actuality a despot, Augustus appealed to the desires of the populace to live under a Republic. At public events, Emperor Augustus tried to promote that sense of unity with his people, especially at The Games. Here he was able to generate support of both himself and his government by communing with the public.Commencing the games with measures of reaffirmation of his power via religious and military processions, Augustus joined his citizens in the excitement and violence of the day's events. Yet he upheld his superiority by being seated in a place of supremacy, holding the fate of all participants in his hands.
Though holding himself above the common man, Augustus was a clever politician. Well aware that his fate could be guided by the will of the people, he created a false sense of security by maintaining the illusion of the existence of a Republic. The people of his day had lived through eras of strife and turmoil. The stability generated under Augustus's reign brought a sense of growing satisfaction, the start of the "Pax Romana." Though perhaps leery of the term emperor, it was better than king. The greater good promoted by Augustus shrouded the public from the more detrimental imperial actions taking place. In time, the title emperor would become commonplace, but it was one that came with gradual acceptance. The people were ready for the promise of a prosperous and secure future, something that the Emperor Augustus seemed to create. With that came recognition and acquiescence to the title.