Theme Of Redemption In The Res Gestae Essay Example

than four times, he helped redeem the Senatorial treasury from debtsfootnoteRef:3. For instance, in 6 A.C.E, he offered HS 170 million to address the plight of the soldiers. When Gnaeus and Publius Lentulus were consulates, he redeemed the empire from poverty by contributing money and grains from his granary. 2: Edwards, I. E. S., C. J. Gadd, N. G. L. Hammond, John Boardman, David M. Lewis, F. W. Walbank, A. E. Astin, et al. 1970. The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge England: Cambridge University Press.p.424. 3: Edwards, I. E. S., C. J. Gadd, N. G. L. Hammond, John Boardman, David M. Lewis, F. W. Walbank, A. E. Astin, et al. 1970. The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge England: Cambridge University Press.

The Res Gestae can however not be considered a document of historical facts. As per Edwards, et al. 1970, it is unclear when the publication was written with different people having different explanation on the date of its writings and publications. Some people have also raised concerns, as per the authors, that the publication was written long after Augustus death. Additionally, many of his achievements are overly exaggerated, together with the numerous triumphs and positions bestowed to him by the senate. His military prowess is also overly overstated. There is no single instance where he is seen to have lost a battle. From Res Gestae, He is an extremely generous war hero, who uses his personal resources for the benefit of his society. On the other hand, many history books as per the author, explain of the great deeds of Augustus in the contributions of shaping government and the Roman society. Because of this confusion in history,

it makes it difficult for historians to verify or totally falsify the mighty deeds of AugustusfootnoteRef:4. 4: http://classics.mit.edu/Augustus/deeds.html

Since Augustus established a dynasty and a new form of government, he chose the theme of redemption and mercy to promote human dignity, and emphasize government commitment to the people as opposed to the previous cases of oppression and dictatorship. Before his form of government, people lived in fear of insecurity resulting from lack of adequate protection by their governments. This saw many of them being captured and taken to slavery. In a bid to educate his people from this, Augustus uses economic, social, and military redemption to promote the wellbeing of his people.