Augustus and Athens

Abstract Chapter 12 moves to so-called era of Roman Athens, though this term can also be applied to the city from a century earlier. Augustus and Athens had a rocky relationship at the outset, with the city angering the emperor and having to work to ingratiate itself. Augustus then showed a tolerant attitude toward the city, giving it money to complete the Roman Agora, and Athens was also able to draw on wealthy individuals to fund other projects, with Agrippa also building an odeum in the Agora. Roman visitors continued traveling and studying in the city. After an economic slump there was a rise in prosperity, evidenced by a rise in exports and the flourishing of the port of Piraeus. Culture continued, as did Romans availing themselves of it. But a clear sign of Roman mastery was the introduction of the imperial cult into the city, and the building of a temple to the goddess Roma and Augustus on the Acropolis, the home of the patron deity Athena. One wealthy patron was Julius Nicanor, who acted as some sort of liaison between Athens and Augustus.