Εὐχαί ὑπὲρ τῶν παίδων AUGUSTUS AND SOME HONORS FOR GAIUS AND LUCIUS IN THE ROMAN EAST

Augustus felt an urgent need to justify the honours conferred on his adoptive sons, Gaius and Lucius Caesar, and the positions attributed to them, before the period of time provided by law, on the basis of merit (…he never recommended his sons for office without adding “If they be worthy of it”, Suet. Aug. 56). The aim of this paper is to examine some epigraphic documents showing how the principes iuventutis were celebrated by eastern communities adhering to the dynastic model identified through the political choices of the princeps at a time when Gaius and Lucius’ very young age suggested more caution in appointing them for public honors