Dear Senators and Tributes, I stand before you today to inform you how history has taught us about leaders. Most of us are aware of our leaders’ past and what they did to make our lives better and at times more miserable. Some regimes were characterized by a tyranny that led to the deterioration of people’s lives. Artists, in particular, suffered, in the past decades and reigns. For instance, no one stood up to appreciate their efforts, give them credit and the freedom to express their God-given talents that have helped them to earn a living and transform their meaningful careers. The dictators disregarded them and treated them as enemies to their authoritarian regimes. Their works were highly censored especially where they conveyed information that could enlighten the subjects to demand their rights.
My name is Leonardo da Vinci, a sculptor from Italy. I have traveled to most parts of the world and seen how they appreciate art and what artists go through in the hands of their leaders. I must say we are lucky if not blessed with a leader who is a faithful servant for the people. Thanks to Augustus’ massive building projects. He found Rome a city made up of bricks, but he has transformed it into a city of marble. We now have a steady job; our works glorify all of Rome, not just its leader; not all actions are for political purposes anyway. It is because of Augustus that we now have peace and we can live with our families and friends in harmony.

There is no doubt that Augustus deserves credit for managing to control the art in this great nation. Since he took power, the emperor has significantly transformed the country in many ways. Firstly, Rome was a nation, which I must say was in agony for lack of peace, prosperity, and no much literary achievements. Instead of following his predecessors’ example and making himself a dictator, we all know that the emperor introduced the Principate system which has brought us together. Since the emperor came to power, we are a changed nation. We are now the pride of Europe. He is our pride, our savior and servant leader. Secondly, we have an excellent infrastructure in terms of road networks and other public amenities. The towns we are currently living in are well maintained, thanks to the efforts of the emperor. Thirdly, our standards of living have drastically improved. In fact, we are the wealthiest nation with the highest rate of employment and equipped with the best health facilities. Fourthly, Augustus has supported the most significant poets in this era. For example, Vergil, Horace, and Ovid are some of the poets who now enjoy the fruit of their labor, because of Augustus’ support. These great artists would have remained veiled and their works ignored. However, Augusts allowed them to express their God-given talents and make his statues. One will tend to ask, why then don’t we allow him to control our art? Fellow Senators and adamant Tribunes, I beseech you to consider the achievements Augustus has made thus see the necessity of allowing him to control the art.

Look at the beauty of Rome, if it were to be given out for marriage it would attract so many suitors; it’s the epitome of elegance. The massive buildings with the best architectural designs speak about the work of this particular emperor. He undertook a program to beautify Rome, something which is considered brilliant! Do you see it? The beauty that we are proud of is the work of the emperor let us allow him to make art beautiful too. If we allow Augustus to have control of our art, we will be the most significant city that is defined by architecture. Our art will sell not only in Rome but, other countries worldwide. Artists in this empire will become popular because he will help us to expand our works beyond the boundaries.

During his political regime, he made us win wars like the Actium. We all know that in Augustus’ sixth and seventh consulships, after he had extinguished the civil wars, he was in complete control of the affairs of this nation. However, instead of advocating for dictatorship, the emperor transferred the republic from his power to the dominion of the senate and people of Rome. We can agree that he was not selfish and he took care of the interest of people of Rome. In addition, Augustus created a robust and formidable army for the first time.in the history of this country He has embarked upon a vigorous expansion campaign to make our territory safe from invasion by our enemies. Now as artists we can do our job without the fear that our works would be destroyed by a tyrannical emperor. Moreover, we are assured that our works would remain for posterity. We shall be remembered by the future generations and they will appreciate what we did. What more can we ask, dear Senators and adamant Tributes? Can we get a leader like Augustine in the whole of Rome? I believe he is the only option we have as artists. We should not let ourselves down at such a critical time.

In conclusion, fellow Senators and adamant Tribunes, it is evident that Augustus is our savior as artists. We can attest to the progress that we have witnessed under his regime. No one in the history of Rome has valued artists like Augustus. He has demonstrated that we are key in the reign of Roman emperors. What then can we say, he is the only person who can bring transformation in our art, therefore, let us allow him to have the power to work for us and make our art better. I believe that he is the right person to transform our art and bring prosperity to the whole of Rome. Our art will not only glorify Augustus but the whole of Rome. Tribunes are convinced that he is a man of action, not just promises. I beseech you to give him an opportunity in our art. Thank you.