Document Analysis: Augustus Refuses Freedom to Samos
The landscape of political power was changing greatly in the Roman republic as it transitioned into an empire. Formerly, the vast lands of the republic were controlled by the three members of the second triumvirate; Lepidus, Octavian, and Marc Antony. These three men, after defeating Brutus and Cassius at Philippi in 42BC, agreed to split the rule of the empire amongst the three of them. Octavian ruled the western provinces, Lepidus North Africa, and Marc Antony the eastern provinces. With these changes in power, we see some cities gaining influence and wealth, and other losing it based on their allegiance. At the time of the triumvirates defeat of Brutus and Cassius, the city of Aphrodisias was beginning to renovate their aging theatre. This theatre, dating back to the 3rd century, was renovated by a man named Zoilos. He was a slave freed by Octavian some years before and who had grown prominent in his community since that time. “We know that the renovation occurred later than 38BC because Zoilos was not active in Aphrodisias until that year, and we know that…show more content… “... but I am not willing to have the most valued privileges given to anyone without a reasonable cause”. As already discussed above, Samos is located on an island just off the east coast of modern Turkey. This placed it in the direct control of Marc Antony during the civil war. In contrast with Aphrodisias who declared loyalty to the other side, Samos was obedient to their prescribed ruler. Lempriere and Baker briefly discuss in their Barker's Lempriere Abridged how Samos was, for a time, used by both Marc Antony and his wife, Cleopatra, as a headquarters and court. By being loyal to the wrong side and suffering no hardship during the war, it is the decision of Octavian / Augustus that the Samoans have not earned their
