succession

?
View mindmap
  • SUCCESSION
    • reasons for preoccupation
      • Roman nobility concerned with inheritance of political prestige. in order to maintain good family name sons were expected to follow in fathers footsteps.
      • augustus had no natural son- needed to secure one through adoption
      • his recurring ill-health spurred on his arrangements. 23BC close to death.
      • many of his successors died before him.
      • principate could not be inherited but some believed there should be someone in place to transfer it to.
        • however augustus believed that each leader should win power in open competition and due to merit.
    • methods:
      • used the device of associating members of his family with him in the tribunician power- taking them as colleagues througha grant of imperium- endorsing them.
    • attempts to find julian successor
      • forced to rely on Tiberius- who was aclaudian but was experienced.
        • some believed that Augustus was not fond of Tiberiushowever suetonius states:
          • 'Augustus wighed Tiberius' good qualities against the bad, and decided that the good tipped the scale... he... had often referred to him as an outstanding general'
            • tacitus argues that he was 'thoroughly aware of Tiberius' cruelty and arrogance, he intended to heighten his own glory by the contrast to one so inferior.'

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Classical Civilization resources:

See all Classical Civilization resources »See all Augustus resources »