Augustus offers a lucid historical portrait of Octavian's rise from Caesar's heir to the architect of imperial Rome. Shuckburgh traces the collapse of the Republic, the rivalries with Antony and Lepidus, the settlement of power after Actium, and the administrative, military, and cultural reforms that defined the Augustan age. Written in the sober, source-conscious prose of late Victorian classical scholarship, the book situates Augustus within both Roman political tradition and the broader literary memory shaped by Virgil, Horace, and later historians. Evelyn S. Shuckburgh was a distinguished English classicist, translator, and historian whose lifelong engagement with Greek and Roman texts informed his narrative method. His work on Polybius and Cicero gave him an acute sense of republican politics, constitutional crisis, and the moral language of Roman public life. These scholarly interests help explain his attraction to Augustus, a ruler whose career demanded careful judgment between ambition, necessity, order, and autocracy. This volume is recommended for readers seeking an accessible yet learned introduction to the first Roman emperor. It will appeal especially to students of classical history, admirers of Victorian historiography, and anyone interested in how political genius can transform civil war into enduring institutions. This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience. - Hand-picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Autorentext
Evelyn Shirley Shuckburgh (1843 1906) was an English academic, schoolmaster, classical scholar, author and translator. He was famous for his translations of Latin and Greek texts, like Cicero's letters. His historical work include the biography of Augustus, books on the history of Rome and ancient Greece.
Zusammenfassung
Emperor Augustus, the nephew of Julius Caesar, was one of the greatest and, some say, the most successful Roman emperor. This book presents a history of his life and deeds, so it's not a mere biography; it analyzes his activity as a ruler and a Politian. The author follows the great emperor from his succeeding to the throne after the death of Julius Caesar, pays special attention to his reforms, a new constitution, his relations with the triumvirate, and his family life and worshippers. The author takes a deep insight into different sides of Augustus's life and follows the great emperor up to his death. Although the book is historical, it is written in a light and understandable manner and contains some interesting details, making it an easy, informative, and captivating read.