Augustus: First Emperor of Rome

THE AUTHOR HAS WOVEN HISTORICAL DETAILS INTO THE NARRATIVE OF THE FIRST ROMAN EMPEROR'S LIFE AND TIMES WHICH MAKES READING THIS BOOK A GOOD TRIP TO AN EXCITING ERA OF INTEREST!

Doesn’t flow very easily. It is a relatively dense book, with lots of information, and I had to go back, time and time again. It is a well written book, and covers the life of Augustus, with all its complexities and contradictions.

In his biography of Julius Caesar  Caesar: Life of a Colossus , the image of the great man emerges almost immediately. Not so in this account of Augustus. Instead the features of Augustus emerge gradually as if one were watching a photo in a bath of developing solution. And the first faint images of Augustus are not very flattering.The young Augustus seems cold, indifferent to the point of cruelty, and monstrously calculating. Of course, he had to be all of those things and more. At nineteen he was thrust into the blood-drenched world of Roman politics and was probably the least likely person to emerge on top. Yet, he somehow did reach the pinnacle and from there, and in the latter half of Goldsworthy's biography, he emerges in full view as a truly great and decent man and probably one of the most accomplished leaders in history.Unlike his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, Augustus was not a great general. That he left to such men as Agrippa, who was a general and a great deal more. Almost our first understanding of the quality of Augustus comes from the fact that he could attract the love and loyalty of a man like Agrippa. Though a great general, Agrippa was not fond of war. Indeed, Goldsworthy quotes him as saying, "If peace makes small things grow, discord will tear down great things.' p. 353. Augustus and Agrippa built great things, roads and magnificent buildings, but because of them the Empire flourished with the growth of many of the fine, small things that are the true ornaments of civilization.I was particularly struck by the problems that Augustus faced building his great Forum Augustum in the Roman Forum. Construction was delayed because nearby property owners refused to sell their interest. Ultimately, although much of the needed property was acquired, one or two obstinate property owners held out to the end and Augustus was compelled to build his great structure with an irregular shape in the northeastern corner. Goldsworthy says, "Perhaps it was frustrating for Augustus, but his willingness to accept this showed his respect for the rights of property and an unwillingness to override them even for the wider good of the state, let alone his own fame. In some ways this very imperfection of the new Forum was a more valuable symbol than perfect symmetry would have been." p. 403.One may contrast the restraint of Augustus with the situation in the present United States where the Supreme Court's infamous KELO decision grants state powers not only to seize private property for the use of the public but also for resale to another, more attractive, private party.Augustus in later life saw himself as a sentry guarding the Roman people and he worked very hard to improve their lives. The work was so arduous that his ultimate successor in training, Tiberius, dropped out and fled to Rhodes to listen to lectures and rest rather than grind away every day helping Augustus solve the problems of the empire. Ultimately, when Tiberius became emperor because there was no one else left to take the job, he held the title and fled to another island, Capri, leaving much of the toil to Sejanus with ugly consequences. But Augustus never quit until overtaken by death.The first emperor cherished and encouraged the friendship of the likes of Agrippa, Livy, Vergil, Horace and many others. He boasted that he found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble. On his last voyage down the coast of Italy his ship passed a merchant vessel from Alexandria. When they recognized the emperor's ship they shouted acclaim and praise, and thanked him for making their lives so good. Augustus seemed to take greater pride in this than the triumphs awarded to him. Many of the triumphs he turned down. He sent gifts to the Alexandrian merchants. Like his friend Agrippa, Augustus wanted to make the world safe for many priceless little things to grow.Goldsworthy has given us a readable, interesting and valuable biography of one of the greatest men in history.

This review is in regard to Augustus, by Adrian GoldsworthyThis book flowed well, it does present a comprehensive understanding of the life and times of Augustus, and for the most part does that very nicely.I found the maps, battle illustrations, index, glossary, notes, all to be invaluable, adding another layer of excellence to this bookI really enjoyed the 100 or so pages leading up the reign of Augustus, explaining in part the leadership of Julius Caesar, Pompey, Mark Anthony, Crassus, Cato, the Civil War, the assassination of Julius Caesar etc. It also lightly touches on the iconic writers and poets of the time, such as Cicero, Virgil, and others.Enjoyed learning of Livia, Augustus wife, her son Tiberius, Sextus Pompeius, Marcus Junius Brutus and Decimus Brutus’, both conspirators, one that I dislike more then the other, due to a deeper level of betrayalAlso enjoyed the intermingling stories of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, the battle of Actium. The invaluable lifelong loyalty and military leadership of Marcus Agrippa towards Augustus, and so much more.Overall I would highly recommend the book as it covers a lot of territory, leaving the reader with a broad understanding of the complicated power struggles within the Roman Empire at the time.Currently reading Antony and Cleopatra by the same author Adrian Goldsworthy. At the half way point I have realized how well these books merge with each other, simply outstanding.I am happy to have read Augustus first, but not certain it would have been any different the other way around, Goldsworthy is a master of historical storytelling, both books are superb

This historian’s work is exceptional and conciseNo hyperbole added. I’ve read four of his books and I intend to read more.

A well-conceived and written history of the transition of Rome from republic to empire, and of the larger participants in that process right up to Augustus himself, and thence to his progeny and successors. Much detail is given on the progress of the architecture of Rome itself during that era, and of the system and changing structure of the Roman government. The principal thread of course is the life of the Caesar who took the title of Augustus, and of his maneuvers to gain and remain at the helm of government. Those of us now living in the United States will readily recognize some similar maneuvering in Washington DC, and this history casts a somber light on the possible paths forward.

Very satisfied with this book. I learned a lot about Augustus that I did not previously know. I learned about a lot of important people and events during the Pax Augusta that I never heard of before. Goldsworthy does a great job of cutting through the thick propaganda of the original sources and painting a picture of a flawed opportunist that was incredibly lucky and bold in his achievements. Augustus' was also sad and full of sickness and death. These are important threads of Augustus that many other biographers and historians cut out. Goldworthy tells the story with all the ups and downs, triumphs and blunders, blessings and curses of Augustus' life.

Great

La forma en la que cuenta la vida y obras de Augusto es magnífica, logra unir y explicar al explosivo Triunviro Octavio y afable y Sabio Augusto

Estupendo libro sobre Augusto ,personaje capital de occidente.Escrito en el inconfundible estilo de goldsworthy,ideal para sus lectores.

Most people have an image of Ancient Rome based more on films/TV than history. Andrian Goldworthy, like any worthy historian, gets to the "warts and all" truth about the man Augustus. From the young ruthless Octavian to the old wise Imperator Caesar he clearly charts the rise to prominence of the (possibly) only benevolent dictator who has ever existed. Fascinating history and legacy. A must read for all lovers of factual Roman History.

It is not easy to read. text and spacing.