This document provides notes and questions about Roman artifacts from the time of Caesar Augustus that were used to strengthen his role as emperor. Statues of Augustus portrayed him as a god-like figure to establish his divine status and right to rule. Roman coins from before and during Augustus' reign show how their designs changed to feature his portrait and symbols of his power, portraying messages of peace, victory and military strength under his command. The artifacts demonstrate how Augustus used Roman religious symbols and beliefs to portray himself as having a divine mandate to rule as emperor.

1. Roman Artifact Notes Worksheet
Roman Artifact Notes Name ___________________________________
Focus Question: How did Caesar Augustus use Roman religious symbols and beliefs to strengthen his role as emperor?
Roman Statue. Observations: (What do you see here? Statements: (Revise and combine your observations
Use bullet points and describe each of into sentences, summarizing your evidence.) What is
How is Caesar Augustus these statues as evidence of Caesar the statue trying to tell the viewer about Caesar
being portrayed?: Augustus’ portrayal.) Augustus?
Caesar Augustus
- This statue shows Augustus as ___________________
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- and tells us that _______________________________
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- ____________________________________________
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2. Roman Artifact Notes Worksheet
Roman coins changed when Caesar Augustus Observations: (What do you see here? Statements: (Restate and combine your observations as
was emperor. How do the changes in Roman Use bullet points and describe each of sentences, summarizing your evidence.) What
coins show Caesar Augustus’ role being these sets of coins as evidence of how messages are the coins trying to tell the viewer?
portrayed? Caesar Augustus’ wanted to be seen.)
Typical Roman Coin, silver, 190 B.C.
(goddess Roma on front, Dioscuri on back) - This coin shows ______________________________
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- and tells us that _______________________________
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- ____________________________________________
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- ____________________________________________
Octavian (Augustus) coin series, top: portraits
of goddesses: Pax, Venus, and Victoria, bottom: - These coins show _____________________________
Octavian addressing army; giving signal to
attack; triumphal statue (Ca. 30 B.C.) ____________________________________________
- and are important because ______________________
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- ____________________________________________
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