ABSTRACT
During the ten years that elapsed between the fall of Perusia and the capture of Alexandria in 30, Octavian gradually established himself in a position of power. Though he began his account of his achievements (Res Gestae) with the raising of the army at the age of nineteen, Augustus was reticent about the details of what happened next, passing in three chapters from a narrative of specific events to a general account of his victories, triumphs and honours. It is impossible to discern how he regarded the years which were so fruitful and formative. Looking back on them, he would be able to pick out the significant trends and relevant turning points, while the less portentous events would recede into obscurity. Going forwards through those years with no guarantee of ultimate success, he would not be able to evaluate the situation quite so clearly; the salient factors would be tenacity of purpose combined with flexibility of method. There were more roads than one towards his goal, and it is possible that that goal was not clearly defined at first. His rise was not rapid, nor steady; he met with hindrances and disappointments, but he possessed a superhuman patience and a dogged determination that enabled him to surmount difficulties and defeats which might have discouraged less obdurate people. He experienced more than one narrow escape from personal danger both on the political scene and in military action; like a cork, he sometimes briefly sank below the surface, but rapidly came back up, buoyant and unsinkable. Though he had youth on his side, its advantages were neutralised by his frequent illnesses, some of them serious enough to threaten his survival; but despite his ailments he managed to appear at the right place at the right time when it mattered. These efforts cost him a great deal sometimes, but he showed indomitable will-power and courage that impressed his contemporaries. He built on this foundation shrewdly, and where he lacked certain qualities he used the skills of other people to fill the gap; indeed, much of his success can be laid at the door of his associates, in whom he inspired a loyalty that scarcely ever wavered. That may have come about either because of his personal charm, or in some cases loyalty may have derived from the prospect of the rewards that he could offer if he remained at the helm. Of his original
group of friends, only Salvidienus proved doubtful, and he was executed for reasons which are obscure. Octavian already operated at the head of a network of clients and agents, consisting of those he inherited from Caesar and those he acquired for himself. Very few of these are recorded; the unsung majority yield to the more famous names. In the military and naval sphere, Octavian could rely on his friend Agrippa, without whom it is possible that the world would never have known Augustus; and Maecenas rendered excellent service in the diplomatic sphere. These two men are inextricably associated with Octavian, but their contribution to his success cannot be measured precisely. Augustus was not afraid of acknowledging their usefulness and his reliance upon them, and even after their deaths he still made reference to them as his companions and guides. When the scandalous affairs of his daughter Julia became known, he so far forgot himself that he expressed his anger in the Senate, furious that the matter should be a matter of public discussion. The cool, calm exterior had given way to an outburst of emotion, which he immediately regretted, adding that if Agrippa or Maecenas had been alive they would never have allowed him to display his feelings for all to see.1
