Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 2
Choyce Observations OF OCTAVIUS AVGUSTVS.
HE was styled by the name of Augustus, Vel ab augurio, vel ab augendo dictus.i. e. worshipfull or sacred, which they thought to be a name of reverence and Majesty, because all consecrated and hallowed places were called Loca Augusta. That MonethMonth which was by them called Sextilis, because it was their sixth MonethMonth, is called Augustus in honour of him, and things of greatest splendour are called Augustissima. Iulius Caesar was his great Uncle, but his Father by Adoption. He was called Octavius from his Father, and Augustus from his victory.
A man most nobly descended; for riches, honour, friends, Empire, fortunate victories, almost adored; for bodily good things, of comely stature, Forma eximia & per omnes aetatis gradus venustissima. Suetonius. Oculorum acies clarissimorum syderum modo vibrans. Corpore toto pulcher, sed oculis magis. Aurel. Vict.Of most amiable visage, and that also majesticall by his bright and shining eyes, Quibus etiam existimari volebat inesse quiddam divini vigoris. Wherein also (as he would have men believe) was seated a kind of Divine vigor: and he joyed much, if a man looking wishly upon him,Sueton. held down his face, as it were against the brightnesse of the Sun; therefore a certain souldier turned away his eyes from beholding his face, and he demanding the reason why he did so, he answered;Aurel. Vict Quia fulmen oculorum tuorum ferre non possum.
His hair was somewhat yellow, and his body freckled with spots, which his flatterers would have the world believe were in form like stars.
He was indeed somewhat low,Sueton. His shooes were underlaid somewhat with the highest, that he might seem taller then he was. neverthelesse of a comely stature, five foot and nine inches, the just measure (saith one) of our late famous Queen Elizabeth, who as she matched that Roman Emperour in happinesse, and duration of Reigne, so did she likewise in the stature of her body. Cities were called Caesareae in honour of him,Calciamentis altiusculis utebatur, ut procerior quam erat videretur. Suetonius. so in honour of our Virgin Queen was there a Country called Virginia.
Augustus Imperii formator, ne Dominum quidem dici se volebat. Augustus the founder of the Roman Empire (for his Father Caesar was but Metator rather then Imperator, Tertul. Apol. c. 34.the chalker of it out, then the setter of it up) This great man would not be called Lord.Orosius lib. 7 c. 2. Upon the same day that our Saviour was born,Orosius. he forbad them by Edict to call him Lord, that all Lordship might be ascribed to him.
In his time our Saviour was born, Imperante Augusto natus est Christus, imperante Tiberio crucifixus. He consulting with the Oracle of Delphos about his Successour, received this answer:
Puer Hebraeus diis beatis imperans, jubet me
Hanc domum linquere, & rursus in orcum reverti:
Quod superest, abi tacitus ex aris nostris.
Whereupon Augustus coming home, in the Capitol erected an Altar, and thereon in Capitall letters caused this inscription to be ingraven, Haec est Ara Primogeniti Dei.
He is mentioned in the Scripture,Totus orbis) ad verbum, Tota habitabilis, ita ut subaudias Terra, A Hyperbolicall speech. Luke 2. 1. There came an Edict from Augustus Caesar that all the world should be taxed, i. e. all the Provinces subject to the Roman Empire, for the Romans called themselves Lords of the whole world.
He made not war upon any people without just and necessary causes;Nulli Genti sine justis & necessariis causis bellum in…ulit. his saying was, That neither battel nor war was to be undertaken, Suetonius.unlesse there might be evidently seen more hope of gain then fear of damage. Bellum est Iustum, quod necessarium est; & arma sunt pia, quibus nulla nisi in armis relinquitur. spes. Livie Decad. 1. Lib. 9.He likened such who sought after small commodities with great danger, unto those that Angle with a golden hook, which if it be broken off, no draught of Fish whatsoever is able to make amends for the losse. [That was prudent advice of Henry the fourth K. of France, to Henry the third his Brother, who would needs with those small forces they had, salley out of Tours upon the great Army of Charles Duke of Mayen; Sire (quoth he) N'hazardons pas un double Henry, contre un Carolus, i. e. Let us not venter a double Ducket for a single penny.] He was so troubled and astonished at the Relation of a Foyl and overthrow of Varus, that for certain moneths together he let the hair of his beard and head grow still, and wore it long; yea, and otherwhiles would run his head against the doores, crying out, Quintilius Varus, Deliver up my Legions again. Suetonius.
He deemed nothing lesse beseeming a perfect and accomplished Captain,Aurel. Vict. then temerity, or rashnesse: using this speech, Satis celeriter fieri, Sueton.quicquid commodè geritur, That is done soon enough which is done well enough.
He was so exceedingly delighted with that proverbiall saying,Aul. Gel. 10. l. 11. c. Macrob. Saturn. lib. 6. Eras. Adag. Festina lentè, that he would not onelyonly use it frequently in his daily Colloquies, but would insert it often in his Epistles; admonishing by these two words, that to effect any enterprise, both the speedinesse of Industry, and the slownesse of Diligence should concurre.
The City being not adorned according to the Majesty of such an Empire,Vrbem lateritiam accepi, relinquo vobis marmoream. Aurel. Vict. and subject to the casualties of Deluges and fires, he beautified and set out so,Sueton. as justly he made his boast,Macrob. that whereas he found it built of brick,Liberalibus studiis, praesertim eloquentiae in tantum incumbens, ut nullus ne in procinctu quidem laberetur dies, quin legeret, scriberet, declamaret. Aurel. Vict. he left it all of Marble.
Augusto profiuens & quae Principem deceret, Eloquentia fuit. Tacitus. He had a ready, fluent, and eloquent speech, such as well became a Prince.
Seeing upon a time a number of Citizens clad all in black, assembled to hear a publick speech, he with great indignation cryed out, Behold,
Romanos rerum Dominos, gentemque togatam▪
The Romans, Lords of all the world, and long rob'd Nation.
He never recommended his sons unto the people,Suetonius. but with this clause added thereto, If they shall deserve.Si merebuntur.
He gave charge to the Praetors of Rome, Ne paterentur nomen suum obsolefieri, Not to suffer his name to be worn thread-bare.
He would never lye awake in the*Nisi aliquo assidente, nunquam tenebris evigilavit. Sueton. lib 2. c. 5. dark without one sitting by his Bed side.
*The Senate and people of Rome joyntly saluting him by the name of Pater Patriae, he with teares standing in his eyes made answer unto them in these few words; Now that I have (mine honourable Lords) attained to the height of all my vowes and wishes, what remaineth else for me to crave of the immortall gods, but that I may carry with me this universall consent of yours unto my lives end?Macrobius writes of him, that he carried such an entire and fatherly affection to the Common-wealth, that he called it, …il…am suam, his own Daughter; and therefore refused to be called Dominus, the Lord or Master of his Country, and would onelyonly be called Pater Patriae, the Father of his Country, because be governed it not per timorem, sed per amorem, not by fear, but by love.
He would not lightly depart forth of the City, or any Town, nor enter into any place but in the evening, or by night, for disquieting any person in doing him honour by way of dutifull attendance. Sueton.
The beginning of friendship between him and Cinna was strange; Cinna had conspired against his life: After Augustus had discovered to him all his conspiracy which he knew, he said, I have given thee thy life twice; first as an enemy, then a Rebel, and now I give thee the Consulship. Let us now be friends, and henceforth strive, whether I have with a better faith given thee thy life, or thou owest it to me. Augustus (saith Suetonius in vita August.) had not thenceforward in all Rome a greater friend then Cinna, while he lived, and when he died, Cinna made him sole heire. vide Senec. l. 1. de clement. c. 9.
This was duely observed, that how often soever he entred Rome, no punishment that day was inflicted upon any person.
Qui cum triste aliquid statuit,Seneca said of him, Poenas dat, dum poenus exigit. lib. 1. De Clemen. cap. 10. fit tristis & ipse;
Cui que fere poenam sumere, poena sua est.
He was grieved himself when he pronounced a grievous sentence, and he thought himself punished when he punished others.Damnatorum poenar interdum acrius ferebat, quam qui plectebantur. Senec. lib. de Ira.
Qui que dolet, quoties cogitur esse ferox.
*Aurel. Vict.Rarus quidem ad recipiendas amicitias, ad retinendas constantissimus.
He would not suddenly entertain a league of friendship with any, but was a constant friend to those he loved.His speciall friends were Mecoenas, Agrippa, Virgil. Propertius.
—amare
Nec citò desisto, nec temerè incipio.
Late ere I love, as long ere I leave.
Dion reporteth of him that when he gave commandment to take tribute of the Jews, He permitted the Jews to use their liberties.he would not suffer it to be taken from them on their Sabbath, but caused them to delay it till the next day.
He slept but upon a low bed,Ne toro quidem cubuisse ajunt, nisi humili & modicè instrato. Veste non te…erè alia usus est, quam domesticâ, ab …ore & sor…re, filia, …eptibusque confect…, Sueton. He termed sumptuous garments, Vexillum superbiae, nidumque luxuriae, the banner of pride, and nest of lechery. and the same but meanly spread, and laid with coverlets. He seldom wore any apparel but of huswives cloth, made within the house by his Wife, his Sister, and Daughter.
He was a man of very little meat, and fed for the most part on cheat bread and small Fishes.
He caused the bones of Thallus (who had opened a Letter committed to his trust) to be broken, to the terrour of such untrusty attendants. Suetonius.
By one speech he did appease a tumultuous Army,Plutarch. in Apoph. Audite juvenes senem, quem juvenem senes audiverunt. Ye young men hearken to me now old, whom old men have hearkened unto when young.
He had a special care to expresse his mind and meaning most plainly, and reprehended Marcus Antonius for writing such things, that men did rather wonder at then understand.
It was elegantly said of him, I hate alike as departing from the mean,Suetonius. Cacozelos & antiqu…rios, ut diverso genere vitiosos, pari fastidi… sprevit. both Antiquaries, and affectors of novelties.
He did not so much observe Orthographie, i. e. the form and precise rule of writing set down by Grammarians, but seemed to follow their opinion who think men should write according as they speak.
He could not away so much as with the Winter Sun-shine, and therefore at home he never walked up and down in the Aire, without a broad-brim'd hat upon his head.
In generall Salutations he admitted the very commons, entertaining the suits and desires of all commers with so great humanity,Putas t… asse… Elephanto dare? Macrob. 2. lib. Sat. c. 4. Quasi Elephanto stipem. Sueton. as that he rebuked one of them merrily, because in reaching unto him a supplication, he did it so timorously, as if he had been reaching meat to an Elephant. Augustus militem donis, populum annona, cunctos dulcedine otii pellexit. Tacit. lib. 1. Annal.
He won the souldiers with gifts, the people with provision of victuals, and all with the sweetnesse of rest and peace.
He said of Tiberius, Miserum populum Romanum, qui sub tam lentis maxillis erit, O unhappy people of Rome, that shall be under such a slow paire of jawes. By this Enigmaticall speech, he compared the state of the people of Rome unto the miserable case of one, whom some savage and cruel beast hath gotten between his teeth, not devouring and dispatching him at once, but there holdeth and cheweth him a long while in exceeding paine; alluding to the secret malice and dreaming nature withall of Tiberius.
To expresse the speedy expedition of a thing done hastily,Sparages soon sodden, See Eras. Adag. he used this Proverb, Citius quam Asparagi coquantur. Quicker (would he say) then Sparages can be sodden.
Beholding certain rich strangers and forrainers at Rome carrying whelps of Doggs and Apes in their bosomes, and making much of them,Plutarch in the life of Pericles saith no more then Caesar, but Eras. in his Apothegmes took it to be meant of Augustus. he did ask, Whether women brought not forth children in their countries? Hereby giving a worthy and Princely admonition to them who do consume and wast upon Beasts, the naturall affection and love due to men.
When he purposed never to do what he was requested, he was wont by way of Proverb to say,Suetonius. The Greeks had no Calends. See Eras. Adag. That he would do it, ad calendas Graecas, i. e. in our English Proverb, at later Lammas, never.
He was so much afraid of Thunder and Lightning, that he ever carried about with him for a preservative remedy a Seales *Or of a Sea-ca…f, which as Pliny writeth, checketh al lightnings. Tonitru… & fulgur… …ulo infirmius exp…escebat, ut sem…er & ubique pellem vituli marini circumferret …ro remedio, …que ad omnem … tempe…uis suspicionem, in ab…itum & concam. … se reciperet. Suetonius.skin; yea, and whensoever he suspected there would be any extraordinary storm or tempest, he would retire himself into a close secret room under ground, and vauled above head.
In his time warres ceased,Aurel. Vict. In the time of war the Temple was open. and learning chiefly flourished. The Temple of Ianus was then shut in Rome, peace being generall through the whole world.
Ianum Quirini clausit:Horace lib 4. Carminum. Et ordinem
Rectum, & vaganti fraena licentie.
Injecit, emovitque culpas,
Et veteres revocavit artes.
Our Saviour was born in the 42. year of his reigne say Epiphanius and Eusebius; 41. say Tertullian, and Irenaeus.
Receiving a challenge from Anthony, he returned him this answer,He bid Catullus the railing Poet to supper, to shew that he had forgiven him. That if Anthony had a disposition to dye, or were weary of life, there were waies enough else to death besides that. Thus the challenge was rejected, and yet his Honour untainted.
Affectabat jocos, Macrob. Saturn. l. 2. c. 4.salvo tamen Ma…estatis pudorisque respectu. He was very pleasant, and had both an excellent dexterity in breaking of Jests,Seneca de Ira. and was very patient likewise in bearing of flouts.*Vide Christ. Math. Th…at. Hist. in August. p. 55. 56. Convitia, si irascare, agnita videntur; spret… ex…l…s…unt. Tacitus. Probrosis in se dictis arrisit. He made himself merry with reprochful speeches touching himself, therein manifesting his clemency, and also his wisedome.
When he had by Proclamation promised a great sum of money to him that should bring in that famous Pirate Corocota, and put him in his power; He knowing the Emperors mild and pleasant vein, took the boldnesse to come himself, and told him that he was Corocota which came to submit himself, and demanded the sum promised to him that should bring him in; Augustus both pardoned him, and gave him the money. Dion.
Macrobius reporteth of him,l. 2. Saturn. cap. 4. Mat. 2. 16. For his Jewish devotiō prohibited him to deal with swine, but not Religion, nor reason, nor nature could protect those Innocents from slaughter. that when he heard that at the commandment of Herod, all the children of Syria under two yeares old were slain, and that in the stirre his own son was also slain; Melius est (inquit ille) Herodis porcum esse quam puerum. I had rather (saith he) be Herods swine then his son.
He commanded Herennius a dissolute young man to depart out of the Camp, and when he submissively entreated him not to send him home,Macrob. ib. Qnoniam pudebat adolescentem fateri quibus ipse Caesari displicuisset, Caesar permisit ut sermonem inverteres, & culpam in ipsum conferret. Eras. Appotheg. Macrob. ubi suprà. alledging that he could not tell what to say to his Father, he answered, Dic me tibi displicuisse, say, that I displeased thee.
When Pacuvius did petere ab eo congiarium, and said, That it was commonly spoken among men, that he had given him a great deal of money, Sed tu, inquit, noli credere.
Galba, who had a crooked back pleading before him, and often saying, Corrige in me si quid reprehendis, If you find any fault in me correct it; Augustus answered, Ego te monere possum, corrigere non possum, I can but admonish thee,Macrob. Saturn. I cannot correct thee.
Being entertained by one at a Banquet very meanly and sparingly, after all was finished he departed, and at his farewell onelyonly whispered this in his ear, Non putabam me tibi tam familiarem, I did not think we had been so familiar.
When one tilled the place where his Father was buried,Id. Ib. he said, Hoc verè est monumentum Patris colere.
He was cholerick by nature,This counsell was given him, that when the object and occasions of Choler were in his eye, he should not be moved before he had pronounced over the letters of the Alphabet. but his patience in bearing of bitter Jests deserved much to be commended. A certain Countrey-man came to Rome, who did much resemble him in outward feature, insomuch that all mens eyes were cast upon him, and Augustus hearing of it, caused him to be brought before him, asking him this question, Whether his Mother had ever been at Rome; the young man answered, No, but his Father had oftentimes.
He sitting between Virgil and Horace, being asked by one what he did, answered, Sedeo inter suspiria & lachrymas; per suspiria, intelligens Virgilium suspirabundum, & per lachrymas, Horatium lippientem.
He hearing that a certain Gentleman of Rome (who was deeply indebted) did sleep most securely,Habendae est ad somnum culcitra, in qua ille cum tantum deberet, dormire potuit, Macrob. Sat. l. 2. c. 4. desired to buy the Bed whereupon he rested; it seeming a matter of much marvel to him, that one fallen into so deep arrerages could take his rest so well.
When a souldier bragged too much of a great scarre in his forehead,At tu cum fugisti, nunquam post te respe…ris? he asked him if he did not get it when he looked back as he fled.
He wrote a Tragedie called Ajax, which afterwards (because it displeased him) he blotted out with a spunge. Therefore when Lucius a writer of Tragedies, asked him what his Ajax did? Caesar very wittily answered, In spongiam incubuit, alluding to the Argument of the Fable, in which Ajax when he knew what things he had spoken and done in his madnesse, lying upon his sword kild himself. Besides the pretty allusion unto the fabulous History of Ajax, Torrentius hath observed in the word Spongia a double signification, viz. a Spunge called deletilis, which writers had at hand, either to wipe and wash out what misliked them, or to blur and blot the same; whereupon Martial saith of it, Vtilis haec quoties scripta novare voles: and also a Sword, which addeth the better grace unto the conceit, considering that Ajax fell upon his own sword.
Having conquered his enemy, and returning home victorious, amongst others that came to congratulate his happy conquest, there was one holding a Crow, which he had taught to say,Macrob. Saturn. Ave Caesar, Victor, Imperator, God save the Emperour, and Conquerer. He wondering to see the Bird so officious, gave a great sum of money for him. His fellow workman to whom none of that liberality came, affirmed that he had at home another Crow for Caesar, which he intreated he might bring; being brought, he expressed the words which he had learned, Ave victor, Imperator Antoni. The Emperour being nothing provoked therewith, thought it sufficient to bid him divide the donative with the other: being saluted in like manner of a Parret, he caused him to be bought. This example allured a poor Cobler to try whether he could teach a Crow to use the like salutation, but he being at great expences in vain, was wont often to say, Opera & Impensa periit, all my paines and charge is lost; but at the last the Crow began to utter the same salutation, which Augustus once hearing as he passed by, he answered, Satis domi salutatorum talium hab…o, I have such saluters enough at home.
The Crow remembred to adde that which he had heard his Master complaining say, Opera & impensa periit, at which Caesar laughed, and gave more for him then any of the rest that he had bought.
Quis expedivit Psittaco suum foreign?
Corvos quis olim concavum salutare,Persiu….
Picasque docuit verba nostra conari?
Magister artis, ingenique largitor
Venter, negatas Artifex sequi voces.
He wrote a bitter Satyre against a Poet, but he wiped his lips and replved not, saying, Periculosum est in eum scribere qui potest proscribere.
Suetonius writeth of him, that he loved the expressions of the good will of his friends, and especially such as appeared by some Legacy given at their death: but yet whatsoever it was, he would return it at one time or other to their children with advantage.
He wished three things to his Son,Non tamen vir t…ntus vitiis …aruit; fuit enim paululum im… tiens, leviter iracundus, occuliè invidus, palam factiosus, dominandi supra quam aestimari p… test avidissimus, stu…iosissimus ale… lusor. Aure…. Vict. the favour of Pompey, the boldnesse of Alexander, and his own fortune.
He was not without his vices, being very impatient, secretly envious, and openly factious, very desirous to rule, and much given to dicing.
Though he was a man severe enough, yet he did not know the exceeding wantonnesse of Iulia his own daughter, and her open and audacious boldnesse; but Suetonius seemes to be of a contrary opinion, for he saith, That he was much ashamed of her, and that once he thought to put her to death. And when a freed woman of his named Phoebe, one that was privy to Julia's lewdnesse, knit her own neck in a halter, and so ended her daies, he gave it out, That he wisht with all his heart he had been Phoeb'es Father.
Out of great indignation against his two Daughters, and Posthumus Agrippa his Grand-child, whereof the first two were *Heroum filii no…ae.infamous, and the last otherwise unworthy, he would say, that they were not his seed, but some impostume broken from him, and he used this verse of them,
O utinam aut coelebs mansissem, aut prole carerē!
He was almost peerelesse in his Government,Soli…s. yet there are to be found so many misfortunes in his life, that a man cannot easily discern whether he was more miserable,N…m fore quoties audisse…, citò, aut nullo cruciatu defunctum quempiam, sibi & suis foreign similem (hoc enim & verbo uti solebat) precabatur. Suetonius. or more happy.
Bonam mortem putabat celerem & insperatam, quae nulla aegritudine pulsaret fores: So often as he heard of a man that had a quick passage with little sence of grief, he wished for himself and his such Euthanasy, such an easie death. He being at the point to dye, thus addressed himself; called for his looking-glasse,Suetonius. commanded to have his hair and beard combed,Vita nostra sicut fabula, nec refert quam diu, sed quam bene acta sit. Et malas labentes corrigi, his riveled cheeks smoothed up; then asking his friends if he had acted his part well, Cum it a responderint, vos omnes igitur, inquit, Plaudite.
Aulus Gellius mentioneth,l. 15. c. 7. that he sent a letter unto his step-son to this effect,The Climacterical year is fatall. Rejoyce with me my Son, for I have past over that deadly year and enemy to old age, threescore and three, in which number the sevenths and ninths do concur.
He lived fifteen yeers after Christ was born, and dyed in his 76. year.
He was beloved of his people, for they erected a statue to Musas the Physitian who in a sicknesse recovered him, and placed it by Aesculapius: and the Senate much honoured him being dead, by consecrating Temples to him at Rome, and in other famous Cities, and all the people much lamented his death, using that speech, Vtinam aut non nasceretur, Aurel. Vict.aut non moreretur, would he had never been born, or never dyed.
Paterculus said of the Roman Empire after Augustus death, when there was such hope of enemies, feare of friends, expectation of trouble in all, Tanta fuit unius viri Majestas, ut nec bonis, neque contra malos opus armis foret… such was the Majesty of one man, that his very presence tooke away all use of Armes.