Historical Influences (Rome)

Historical Influences

Reasoning as to my inclusion of the Forum of Augustus and knowledge of Caligula's flamboyant lifestyle, resonates around my research of Academicism, Romanticism and Neoclassicism.

The forum of Augustus 

There were various political influences on the strategic location of the ‘Forum of Augustus’ by placing it next to the temples ‘Divine Julius’; his adoptive and deified father, shows how closely the two were. By creating his forum here, he exploits this relationship to better himself on the side of the gods and in the eyes of the citizens and the senate. His ability to manipulate people for the creation of a prestigious building states his influence and solidarity as an Emperor of Rome.



The layout of such a temple also shows its political importance. Displaying full / busts of such great men, including those of gods and other leaders / emperors of Rome, signifies Augustus’ boasting of his own status. This is as of his depiction of himself with his chariot; entered in the middle of the forum, then being surrounded by gods such as Romulus, Venus, Mars and (Divine) Julius, shows his status among the gods. Whilst this is clearly a religious aspect, it holds great significance as propaganda for his political messages of the time.



Also, the creation of such majestic buildings highlights his power and wealth over the many citizens of Rome. This is a brilliant form of political propaganda, heightening his influence in Rome for many centuries to come.

Augustus exploits his name and status through his ancestry of the deified Julius Caesar. As the nephew of a god, Augustus is clearly in a better standing point amongst the highly religious Roman citizens, for he is now seen as closer to the gods than others.




Caligula 



Known as quite a fanciful emperor of Rome, and obsessed with being deified as a god before his death, Caligula was quite the showman.

He lavished money on building projects, from the practical (aqueducts and harbors) to the cultural (theatres and temples). In 39 and 40 he led military campaigns to the Rhine and the English Channel, where he eschewed battles for theatrical displays, commanding his troops to “plunder the sea” by gathering shells in their helmets, and also demanded a war against Poseidon (god of the sea) and dictated his armies to "stab the water".

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