The Empire
Administration
Senators command militarily important provinces as Augustus' legates; in one-legion provinces, a praetorian-rank legate is in charge of both province and legion. In multi-legions provinces, a consular-rank legate is in charge of the province, and a praetorian-rank legate commands each individual legion; e.g. Syria, Upper Germania, Lower Germania. Less important military provinces governed by equestrian-rank governor; these were initially called 'praefect' but later called 'procurator'. Governors basically controlled the military and maintained public order as day-to-day government was managed by local municipal governments. The only time governors were involved in the legal system was when the death penalty was involved.
Military Organisation
After Antony's defeat, many legions were disbanded with a huge number of veterans discharged; they were given land in Italy or settled in colonies in the provinces. 28 legions were kept in service so there were 150,000 soldiers and an equal number of non-Roman auxiliaries; they were professional and served for 20-years with discharge benefits were paid by Augustus, for a long time out of his own personal wealth and in 6 AD, set-up a special fund with dedicate taxes. They also swore an oath of allegiance to Augustus.
Egypt
Augustus ruled as 'pharaoh'. It was a hugely wealthy province and its isolated position gave though that it was ideal for rebellion. However, later experience shows this was not true and senators were banned from visiting without special permission. An equestrian-rank governor served on behalf of Augustus and it was the only major military province that was not commanded by a legion.
ProvinceJudea
Hispania Armenia Parthia Egypt Balkans Germania |
AggressiveIntervened after the death of Herod and faced Jewish resistance.
Took a long time to conquer. Faced revolts for twenty years. Marched army to demonstrate capabilities of force. Augustus named successors to Armenian throne. Arguably only peaceful due to the tiredness of the army after the civil wars. Garrisoned for nearly a decade until stable. Failed attempt to expand into Ethiopia in the South. Annexed as Augustus' personal estate. Established a new province, adding Moesia and eventually Pannonia. Provinces eventually extended to the River Danube. Attacked beyond the previous border of the River Rhîne. Had to draft recruits from freedmen to bolster the size of the army |
DefensiveEnsured Roman control of the coastal region. Could support and protect Egypt easily.
Eliminated resistance to Roman rule. Vassal state to protect Rome from the warrior tribes of Transcaucasia and Persia. Used diplomacy to have Rome's lost standards returned. De-politicised Egypt to make it more stable. Maintained a strict policy of border protection. Expansion halted when they reached a natural border, i.e. the River Danube. Belgica and Gaul had been attacked by Germanic tribes so was a retaliation. Expansion stopped at the natural border of the River Elbe. |
Suetonius"He was either present at the wars in Pannonia and Germany, or was not far from the front."
"He subdued Cantabria, Aquitania, Pannonia, Dalmatia, and all Illyricum, as well as Raetia and the Vindelici and Salassi, which are Alpine tribes. He also put a stop to the inroads of the Dacians, slaying great numbers of them, and forced the Germans back to the farther side of the river Elbe, with the exception of the Suebi and Sigambri, who submitted to him and were taken into Gaul and settled in lands near the Rhine. He reduced to submission other peoples, too, that were in a state of unrest." "But he never made war on any nation without just and due cause, and he was so far from desiring to increase his dominion or his military glory at any cost, that he forced chiefs of certain barbarians to take oath in temple of Mars the Avenger to faithfully keep the peace; in some cases, indeed, he tried exacting a new kind of hostages, namely women, realizing that the barbarians disregarded pledges secured by males; but all were given the privilege of reclaiming their hostages whenever they wished. On those who rebelled often he never inflicted any severer punishment than selling the prisoners." "The reputation for prowess and moderation which he thus gained led even the Indians and the Scythians, nations known to us only by hearsay, to send envoys of their own free will and sue for his friendship and that of the Roman people. The Parthians, too, readily yielded to him, when he laid claim to Armenia, and at his demand surrendered the standards which they had taken from Marcus Crassus and Marcus Antonius; they offered him hostages besides, and once when there were several claimants of their throne, they would accept only the one whom he selected." "The temple of Janus Quirinus, which had been closed but twice before his time since the founding of the city, he closed three times in a far shorter period, having won peace on land and sea." "He suffered but two severe defeats, those of Lollius and Varus, both of which were in Germany. Of these the former was more humiliating than serious, but the latter was almost fatal, since three legions were cut to pieces with their general, his lieutenants, and all the auxiliaries. When the news of this came, he ordered that watch be kept by night throughout the city, to prevent outbreak, and prolonged the terms of the governors of the provinces, that the allies might be held to their allegiance by experienced men with whom they were acquainted." |
Res Gestae Divi Augusti"Undertook many civil and foreign wars by land and
sea." "Preferred to preserve rather than exterminate foreign peoples." "21 times saluted as imperator." States that the Ara Pacis was consecrated in honour of successfully arranging affairs in Spain and Gaul. Claims that the Gates of Janus were shut 3 times during Augustus’ reign. Colonies given money and veterans settled there. Military treasury was founded by Augustus’ advice to pay rewards to soldiers. Replaced ornaments in temples in Asia province which had been removed by late adversary. Made the sea peaceful and freed it from pirates. Italy, gaul, spain, Africa, sicily and sardinia "swore allegiance to me." Extended territory of all roman provinces adjacent to foreigners. Brought peace to Gaul, Spain, Germany and the Alps. New peoples were interacted with and sought friendship. Advancements were made into Ethiopia and Arabia. Added Egypt and chose to make Armenia a vassal state. Recovered several standards and spoils from Spain, Gaul, Dalmatia by victory and also compelled Parthia. Extended frontiers of Illyricum to Danube and added Pannonia as a province and pacified revolt by Dacians. "While I was leading citizen many peoples exchanged embassies or had friendly relations with us." |
Further Reading
1. The Age of Augustus by Werner Eck. Chapter: War and Expansion. Pages 311-330
the_age_of_augustus_p311-330_war_and_expansion.pdf | |
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