Chapter 14 Summary and Analysis

Augustus sets the pace for the interpretations of freedom that will define the European chordal triad for the next fifteen hundred years. Augustus changes his image and his manner of rule from military oriented to personality oriented during his reign. He extols the virtue of the ruler as a provider and protector of the populace. Augustus uses his sovereignal power for the good of the populace. As stated above, the populace accepts the sovereignal freedom of the emperor because he supports and protects their personal freedom, even though it's at the expense of the civic freedom of the upper classes. The Lares Augusti cult makes this support a kind of religion. The emperor's freedom is derived from his power to promote the welfare of all members of his society. Augustus and the following emperors link themselves to the welfare of the...