Good and Bad Governance from Augustus, Caligula and Nero

Introduction-

Every ruler had a way of ruling and on the basis of his ruling people categorised these rulers

as Cruel tyrants or great rulers. Based on the destruction that Caligula and Nero had caused in

the Roman Empire, they are often termed as blasphemers and killers. Suetonius categorised

the Roman leaders as good and bad rulers on the basis of their military successes, private

relationships, relations with local citizens and their mental stability. 1 On the basis of above

factors Suetonius categorised Augustus as a good as well as the bad ruler whereas his

thoughts about Caligula and Nero was completely opposite as he considered them as brutal

assassiners.

Good and Bad Governance from Augustus-

Augustus is known as the “Restorer of the Republic” as he brought about various political,

religious and moral reforms.2 Augustus did many changes during his reign which changed

the notion of freedom under his rule. Some examples are-

 Stricter marriage and Divorce laws3

The marriage and Divorce laws of Augustus are one example of his bad Governance.

Augustus made the Divorce laws stricter to prevent the people from misusing the

divorce laws. He also changed the law of marriage and now the people could not

marry other class people. These laws took the freedom away from people that they

were exercising before the amendments but soon people adapted these changes and

their notion about freedom changed accordingly.

1
Bartleby Research, “The Twelve Caesars: What Makes A Good Leader?” Last accessed October 17, 2022,
https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Twelve-Caesars-What-Makes-A-Good-FKJ5JEL29MWW
2
Steven Fife, “Augustus' Political, Social, & Moral Reforms” World History Encycliopedia, Last accessed
October 17, 2022, https://www.worldhistory.org/article/116/augustus-political-social--moral-reforms/
3
“Augustus' Political, Social, & Moral Reforms”
  Religious Reforms

Augustus brought about many religious changes and reintroduced many festivals like

Lustrum ceremony and the Lupercalia festival. 4 This allowed people to expressly

profess their religious practice.

 Inheritance Laws

Augustus believed that a person who is born on the earth must have a Family so he

used to incentivise those who had family and punish the males who are above 38

years and are unmarried.5

Good and Bad Governance from Caligula-

Suetonius considered Caligula as the Monster because of his various acts which include acts

like-

 Death of his cousins

Caligula rewarded all his cousins who helped him to succeed the Throne with a

death.6 This gave the people idea of his bad governance and his brutality and people

realised how brutal a ruler can be.

 Not respectful towards his Senate

Caligula was not even respectful towards his Senate and used to kill those who went

against him.7 Thus the new notion of freedom during his reign was not to raise voice

against him.

 Cruel behaviour towards citizens

He was very cruel towards the Citizens. Once he ordered to kill 20 citizens who were

trying to take the centre seat in a circus and because of this act they disturbed him by
4
“Augustus' Political, Social, & Moral Reforms”
5
“Augustus' Political, Social, & Moral Reforms”
6
C. Suetonius Tranquillus. “The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”, last accessed October 17, 2022,
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Caligula*.html
7
“The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”
 their noise.8 This cruelty was the new notion of freedom for the people during the

reign of Caligula.

Good and Bad Governance from Nero-

 Establishment of Neronia- He was the first emperor to establish the contests in

various parts like music, gymnastics etc. which he called Neronia. 9 People could

participate in these contests and there were various judges who were called during

these contests. However no one was allowed to go against his decision.

 Bad administration of Justice- Nero was always reluctant to decide the case in the

favour of those people who presented the case and never discussed any case with the

administrators.10 This is one of the biggest examples of his bad governance. People

agreed to live with this injustice.

 Killing of his mother, wife and his Stepbrother- There is an accusation on Nero that

he killed his wife, Mother and his stepbrother along with thousands of other people. 11

That’s why his reign is called as the reign of terror.

Bibliography
8
“The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”
9
C. Suetonius Tranquillus. “The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”, last accessed October 17, 2022,
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Nero*.html
10
“The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”
11
“The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”
Bartleby Research, “The Twelve Caesars: What Makes A Good Leader?” Last accessed October 17, 2022,
https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Twelve-Caesars-What-Makes-A-Good-FKJ5JEL29MWW

Steven Fife, “Augustus' Political, Social, & Moral Reforms” World History Encycliopedia, Last accessed
October 17, 2022, https://www.worldhistory.org/article/116/augustus-political-social--moral-reforms/

C. Suetonius Tranquillus. “The Lives of the Twelve Caesars”, last accessed October 17, 2022,
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Caligula*.html