Herrschaft in the age of Octavianus

Abstract

In order to effectively rule any leader or group needs to legitimise their power to his subjects. Max Weber describes three ideal types of legitimation that can be distinguished throughout history. In this paper the visual language used by Octavianus during the civil war will be examined and shall be analysed for their relation to the aforementioned three ideal types of authority. To explain via the change in type of Herrschaft the major shift in the Roman political system. Octavianus’ use of propaganda shifts from predominantly charismatic authority over the course of the civil war to a more sustainable legitimation relying ever more on the traditional type.