“Good fortune as much as political skill explains Octavian’s rise to power in Rome” How Justified is the claim with reference to the period 44BC to 36BC?

This question could connect to the A-Level; Classical Civilisations, Augustus.

Octavian’s rise to power over the period 44BC and 36BC saw dramatic fluctuation between good fortune and political skill as the main contributor to gaining power within Rome. Public opinion is an important factor to consider when being to rise to power in Rome. Octavian uses his political skills and any good fortune to his advantage to influence the public’s opinion in his favour.

In 44BC Caesar was murdered; this caused public outcry and a power vacuum was left. Because of the violent nature of his murder the assassins did not receive the reaction they expected.  Also they lacked the forethought to plan a way get Rome back to its old republican ways once the effective ‘king’ had been killed. This was quite fortunate for Octavian and if had he been in Rome and had known he was Caesars heir he would have been able to take control easily. Antony took control instead. Nevertheless it set the seeds for Octavian’s rise to power.

Antony’s handling of Caesars assassins would later be of great benefit to Octavian. Because Antony granted amnesty to the assassins the public turned against him. This benefits Octavian because the public would be looking for an alternative leader.

The reading of Caesars will at his funeral was another fortunate coincidence for Octavian. Caesar gave many gardens to the Roman public as well as 75 Denarii. This caused a great wave of affection towards Caesar and when his toga was shown with blood and holes from the stab wounds, even rioting. Also having announced it in his will, affection flooded towards his adoptive son Octavian. Octavian as Caesars only legitimate heir was the only alternative to Antony.

Octavian arriving in Rome was his first chance to use his political ability increase his power in Rome. Antony tried to squander his chances by refusing to give him Caesars money. This meant Octavian was unable to pay Caesars debts or make allies within Rome. But using his political know how Octavian took out loans and sold his own properties to make enough money to pay the debts. This made him popular with Caesars old allies.

Through the use of games, Octavian made himself even more popular. He paid with his own money which was an effective way of making allies and is a good example of his political ability. At these games there is another example of Octavian's good fortune. A comet appeared in the sky over his games. The public took this as a sign of ‘divine’ Caesar taking his place with the Gods, this legitimized Octavian’s ‘rule’ at a time when Antony would not make Caesars adoption of Octavian legally valid. This was especially important to Octavian’s rise to power as all his possible power rests on the divinity of Caesar.

The loyalty of legions or troops is a very important factor to power in Rome. Therefore Octavian was smart enough to raise his own army. While the other players have no army Octavian has his own and even some of Antony’s legions defer to him. Cicero attempts to use Octavian for his own game, which was fortunate for Octavian as he now was able to legalise his troops and gain some much needed formal power. Octavian was only able to turn himself being used in his favour because of his excellent political ability.

In the battle against Antony, Octavian knows his legions don’t want to fight their old allies therefore Octavian lets the two consuls for that year take charge. This can be seen as cowardice but also it can equally been seen as a political move. Both Gaius Pansa and Aulus Hirtius the two consuls die, leaving Octavian the soul command.

Octavian’s entire power base is rested on his adoptive father, therefore siding with Cicero and his father’s assassins undermines his route to power. To correct this Octavian refuses to co-operate with them and did not give up his legions. This can be seen as something other than loyalty to Caesar on the part of Octavian, it can also be seen as a political move. Now Octavian has got all he can from them and they are now looking to push him to the side in favour of the republic, Octavian must find a new ally against the republicans. Who better than Caesars old friend Antony?

A problem for Octavian fixes itself in Gaul where the republican cause collapsed and Brutus is murdered. This gets Octavian one step closer to avenging his father and is another example of Octavian’s good fortunes.

Marching on Rome was a quick fix to many of Octavian’s problems. It meant he could pay his legions to stay loyal and he was able to become consul. Meaning Octavian, alongside his cousin, legalised his adoption and condemned the assassins it their absence.

The second triumvirate was another smart political move for Octavian. Siding with his father’s old ally and Lepidus meant power was shared between them much like in the first triumvirate. But this alliance was no secret as the one before had been. Proscription lists meant the three were able to get rid of their enemies such as Cicero. The long awaited revenge of Caesars brutal murder happened at the Battle of Philippi. 

Octavian’s last obstacle was his ‘ally’ Antony. Once Lepidus is deposed and Octavian takes his and Pompeius’ troops there is little difference in the strength of each side. Antony has the money pot of land in the Roman Empire but Octavian has Rome. The Conference of Tarentum in 37 is a perfect example of Octavian’s shrewd political skill. Antony was to send Octavian ships to help in the fight against the blockade on Rome and Octavian in return was to send Antony 20,000 troops to fight with. Antony never received these men. Octavian was not about to send a men who undeniably he would be fighting later a Legion.

Octavian’s beginnings in his rise to power are largely due to his good fortune and not his political skill. If Caesar had not named him as his heir, or stirred up affection for himself and by extension Octavian, it is unlikely he would have even been considered as a possible alternative to Antony due to his age, distant blood relation and his lack of a military reputation. But good fortune could only get Octavian so far, he definitely shows a huge amount of political skill in the years better 44BC and 36BC. His first political move is a good example as it benefited him greatly, finding money by any means necessary and paying the debts Caesar had promised gave him a lasting advantage over the unpopular Antony.

Grade: B