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Augustus


Synopsis


'Masterly' - Robert Harris, author of Imperium
'Essential reading for anyone interested in Ancient Rome' Independent

*****

Caesar Augustus schemed and fought his way to absolute power. He became Rome's first emperor and ruled for forty-four years before dying peacefully in his bed. The system he created would endure for centuries.

Yet, despite his exceptional success, he is a difficult man to pin down, and far less well-known than his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. His story is not always edifying: he murdered his opponents, exiled his daughter when she failed to conform and freely made and broke alliances as he climbed ever higher. However, the peace and stability he fostered were real, and under his rule the empire prospered. Adrian Goldsworthy examines the ancient sources to understand the man and his times.

Adrian Keith Goldsworthy

Summary




Chapter One: Augustus

Augustus is an educational, historical, and entertaining novel written by John Edward. The novel tells the story of Augustus, one of the greatest men ever to lead Rome.

The book begins with a brief introduction to the main character and the overall setting of the novel. Augustus was born around 63 BC in lower Rome, at the time when Rome was still young and divided in two. He rose from humble beginnings, coming from the Julii family, and eventually went on to become the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

As Augustus aged, he was faced with many challenges. He fought a series of wars, and he underwent a personal transformation, becoming ever-more powerful and wise. Throughout the novel, we see how Augustus dealt with his struggles and managed to reign as the first emperor of Rome.

Chapter Two: Life Before Power

In this chapter, the reader is introduced to Augustus before he became the emperor. They learn about his childhood, and they discover the circumstances of his life before he held any power. They learn about his family’s situation in Rome and how Augustus became an ambitious and successful man despite being born into poverty.

The reader also discovers how Augustus was tutored in philosophy, gained wealth, and took control of the Roman government in a bid to unify it. This chapter sets the stage for the rest of the novel and introduces the reader to Roman society and politics before Augustus’s reign.

Chapter Three: The Rise of Augustus

In this chapter, the reader sees Augustus’s rise to power. They witness how he gained support from many people in Rome, and how he eventually managed to unify the Roman Empire and become its first emperor.

The reader learns about Augustus’s building of the Roman Empire, his military campaigns, and the ways he increased stability in Italy. This chapter shows Augustus’s transformation from a Prince of Rome to a powerful emperor through his reforms and his schemes.

Chapter Four: The Reign of Augustus

This chapter details the reign of Augustus. The reader discovers the strides he took to maintain peace and order in the Roman Empire, and the ways he led to the Augustan Golden Age.

The reader also discovers how Augustus relied heavily on his advisors, such as Marcus Agrippa, to help him make decisions and stay in power. This chapter provides insight into how Augustus used his influence to shape Rome and its history.

Chapter Five: The Legacy of Augustus

The final chapter of the book explores the legacy of Augustus. The reader discovers how his reign affected the makeup of Rome and how his actions created a lasting peace throughout the Roman Empire.

They also learn about how Augustus’s legacy still has an effect in modern-day Rome, as well as how his reforms influenced world history.

This chapter is a testament to Augustus’s legacy and how he used his leadership to shape Rome and history as we know it.