During his reign from 193-211, Septimius Severus was responsible for a significant building programme in the city of Rome. This involved both new buildings and the restoration of existing structures. Previous scholarship, however, has tended to consider specific buildings of the period in isolation instead of analysing Severus' building programme as a whole. The purpose of the present study is to redress this by examining the overall programme in the historical context of Severus' reign through archaeological investigations, studies of art and architectural history, epigraphy, numismatics, and the literary record. A framework for the motivation behind Severus' building programme may be established by relating the types of buildings constructed anew or restored to what is known of his reign through other sources. Severus wished to portray himself as the rightful heir of the Antonines who had been chosen by divine providence to establish a renewed period of peace and prosperity. Through his building activity he exploited important institutions to underline this position and to legitimize his rule. By his concern for the physical fabric of the capital he at the same time reinforced the message that he had restored the prestige of the Empire. The importance attached to this restoration is attested by the numerous inscriptions placed throughout the city on the restored buildings and other structures proudly announcing the attentions of the new emperor. Much of the Severan enhancement and restoration seems to have been geared toward the celebration of the Secular Games in the capital, an event that heralded a new age of renewal and restoration. Severus' intention of establishing a new dynasty was also implicit in the creation of an architectural presence within the heritage of the imperial city. The use of a building programme within the capital to reinforce the policies of the emperor originated with the first emperor, Augustus. While not on the same scale as the Augustan redevelopment of the city, Severus' building activity followed this imperial tradition with a deliberate and concerted building programme that reflected his propagandistic aims.

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Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This study of the reigns of Valerian and Gallienus, two Roman Emperors of the mid-third century after Christ, was undertaken to re-assess their achievements in the light of modern discoveries about the Roman world. The view frequently expressed by historians—that Valerian and, in particular, Gallienus, were to blame for all the misfortunes that occurred in the Empire— has been found incorrect. Gallienus was vigorous and bold in taking action to check the rapid disintegration of the Empire. Although he failed, the reforms that he introduced into the organization of the army and of provincial government lived on after him. His contribution was not so much to discover these changes (largely begun by Septimius Severus) but to carry their development to a definite conclusion. In order to present the history of the period clearly, the study has been divided into two parts, the first dealing with the chronological sequence of events, and the second with administrative policies, or lack of policy, and with social and economic conditions. Many problems still remain unsolved, but the result of this work, it is hoped, has been a version that reasonably accounts for available evidence. / Arts, Faculty of / Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies, Department of / Graduate

During his reign from 193-211, Septimius Severus was responsible for a significant building programme in the city of Rome. This involved both new buildings and the restoration of existing structures. Previous scholarship, however, has tended to consider specific buildings of the period in isolation instead of analysing Severus' building programme as a whole. The purpose of the present study is to redress this by examining the overall programme in the historical context of Severus' reign through archaeological investigations, studies of art and architectural history, epigraphy, numismatics, and the literary record. A framework for the motivation behind Severus' building programme may be established by relating the types of buildings constructed anew or restored to what is known of his reign through other sources. Severus wished to portray himself as the rightful heir of the Antonines who had been chosen by divine providence to establish a renewed period of peace and prosperity. Through his building activity he exploited important institutions to underline this position and to legitimize his rule. By his concern for the physical fabric of the capital he at the same time reinforced the message that he had restored the prestige of the Empire. The importance attached to this restoration is attested by the numerous inscriptions placed throughout the city on the restored buildings and other structures proudly announcing the attentions of the new emperor. Much of the Severan enhancement and restoration seems to have been geared toward the celebration of the Secular Games in the capital, an event that heralded a new age of renewal and restoration. Severus' intention of establishing a new dynasty was also implicit in the creation of an architectural presence within the heritage of the imperial city. The use of a building programme within the capital to reinforce the policies of the emperor originated with the first emperor, Augustus. While not on the same scale as the Augustan redevelopment of the city, Severus' building activity followed this imperial tradition with a deliberate and concerted building programme that reflected his propagandistic aims. / Arts, Faculty of / Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies, Department of / Graduate

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In this dissertation, I trace the different lives and afterlives of Octavia Minor, Augustus’ sister. I offer a comprehensive study of the ancient literary representations of Octavia; through the course of four chapters and an epilogue, I demonstrate how she occupies a defining space in the public imagination of the early principate. The purpose of this dissertation is to make the literary lives and afterlives of Octavia more visible and to examine how such representations may relate not only to Octavia’s time but also to the times of the sources, from antiquity to the Renaissance. In Chapter 1, I start by pointing out how late Republican customs of marriage and female alliances influence Octavia’s life and its representations and monitor the influence that Octavian had on his sister, and vice versa. Here as throughout the dissertation, I examine how different authors represent Octavia, her widowhood, and her betrothal at the Treaty of Brundisium. In Chapter 2, I trace Octavia’s travels through Greece and the Hellenistic influences in representations of her. This chapter concludes with how she is presented in treatments of the Treaty of Tarentum, where she grows into her role either as mediator or political pawn, according to which sources are followed. Chapter 3 begins with the honours of 35 that both Octavia and Livia receive. Thereafter, I argue for Plutarch’s Octavia as the subject of a mini-parallel life as Cleopatra’s foil. After her divorce with Antony, the literary Octavia seems to negotiate the boundaries between the public and private sphere habitually: we will trace this phenomenon in depictions of Augustus’ victorious return, Octavia’s mourning of Marcellus, and, ultimately, in her own state funeral. In Chapter 4, I examine the different ways in which Octavia’s continuing influence is felt and expressed through the different areas in her life, such as lineage, education, and culture, in what I call “the Octavia Factor.” The epilogue recognizes the historical Octavia as a point of intertextual reference in the pseudo-Senecan Octavia and explores the possibilities of future work on renaissance reception of Octavia. It is in this way that I shed new light on the development of “the Octavia narrative” in the literary sources.

This project examines and compares the political philosophies supporting the centralized authority of monarchs elaborated by two major figures of antiquity, Mèngzǐ (Mencius, 372-289 BC) of the Warring States period in China, and Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Μαρκος Αυρηλιος Αντωνινος, 121-180 AD) of the later Roman Empire. The texts that have transmitted the ideas of these two men--the Mèngzǐ and the Meditations--have shaped the political actions of rulers, as well as the ideas and ideals of political theorists, from their formation down to the present day. Each thinker made substantial claims concerning the role of a philosophically-oriented monarch in actualizing governance that is both benevolent and beneficent under a form of absolute authority. The present study will compare basic principles of Mèngzǐ's and Marcus's political philosophies as they relate to monarchical rule expressed in those two classic works, and draw from these principles to create a new criterion in political philosophy that can be used to critique contemporary political arrangements characterized by strong centralization of power. This project will not be a polemic for monarchy or strongly centralized political governments; it is an exploration into political philosophical principles advocated by Marcus and Mèngzǐ, demonstrating how rulers in strongly centralized political institutions can exercise their power in ways that result in good for the people, and how principles advocated by Marcus and Mèngzǐ can be transformed into a criterion for practical application in contemporary political settings, without having to resort to political philosophical principles popular in most Anglo-European contexts.

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M.A. (Latin) / This study is focused on the different ways the character of the Emperor Nero is depicted by the biographer Suetonlus and the historiographer Tacitus. The study is Introduced with an historical survey of the life of Nero. Thereupon a discussion follows on the life experiences of the authors, Suetonius and Tacitus, as well as the different style and genre used by each, and suggestions on how their writings could have been influenced by these factors. Two aspects of Nero's life are discussed at length, namely his relationship with his mother (and issues relating to that). as well as his interest in and practising of the arts (focusing on Nero as a poet, singer and charioteer). The discussion of these topics is done in the following manner: firstiy Suetonius' account of the events are given, followed by the account by Tacitus. These versions are then compared and where different, the candidate suggests possible reasons for the difference of opinion or presentation between the authors. Various characteristics of the Emperor Nero are referred to. The main conclusions can be categorised into three sections: - First and foremost the authors had different life experiences. Suetonius held various secretarial positions at the court of Caesar Hadrian which SUbsequently influenced his writings. He Was not however a senator or interested In politics and military affairs, which explains the fact that he does not write about political upheavals and does not contribute political motivations for certain actions of characters under discussion. Tacitus on the contrary, was a senator during the reign of Domitian. The atrocities committed by the Emperor and the slowly diminishing power of the Senate influenced the mind and writings of Tacitus to a great extent.