accepted by the princeps. However, for the citizen who followed his lead,
this phrase was no longer felt to be the form most appropriate for expres-
sing civic devotion. The imperial cause was most forcefully proclaimed
when simply called the dominance, the 'imperium'. This word, simple
and unadorned, had served a similar purpose already on republican
monuments. It was now profusely used as a literary watchword. Side by
side with it arose a second version of symbolic significance. This version
correlated the personality of the Empire with that of the deified city. It
read: Imperium Romanum.

In the early years of the principate, historical and poetical writings
were harnessed to the educational aims of Augustus. Maecenas mediated
between the policies of the court and the artistic ambitions of the literati. ¹
He gave guidance to Horace, Virgil and Livy. The Carmina, the Aeneis
and the introductory sections of the books Ab Urbe Condita all include
passages in which the word imperium has the meaning of 'the Empire'
and has the function of reminding the Romans of its greatness and the
duties it implies. The poets, at the same time, use it to express homage to
Augustus and his house.

Horace, in his invitation to celebrate the downfall of Egypt, recalls the
days of anxiety when Cleopatra 'Capitolio . . . ruinas, funus et imperio
parabat'('was plotting to lay the Capitol in ruins, and bring death to our
imperium') ( I, 37). Not long after, his verses expressed concern for the
future of the imperium; it could not be thought safe unless Caesar re-
mained alive to watch over it and to prevent its ruin. ² A few years later,
he wrote the poetic sermon on civic self-sacrifice, exemplified in the
martyrdom of Regulus ( III, 5), and the prayer to the Fortuna of Antium
( I, 35). Both poems refer to new wars fought by Augustus beyond the
frontiers. The first looks forward triumphantly to the aggrandizement of
the Empire, which will result from the submission of Britain and Par-
thia, and will make Augustus divine. The second is again concerned with
the immeasurable importance of Caesar's preservation. He must come
home safely with his formidable army of young Romans. 'The column'
must stand lest the people be shattered by the terror of war, 'and the
Empire go to pieces'( I, 35, 13-16, 29-32). When Horace, long after,
added a fourth book to the Carmina, he felt more assured of the future.
He had the collection finished with a hymn on 'The Age of Caesar'.

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