Augustus (Edinburgh Readings on the Ancient World) - Softcover

Jonathan Edmondson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748615954 ISBN 13: 9780748615957

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2014

Synopsis

Augustus (63 BC -- AD 14), the first Roman emperor, brought peace and stability to Rome after decades of strife and uncertainty. He put in place a new institutional framework for the Roman Empire and inspired the ideology that sustained it for the next three hundred years. This book presents a selection of the most important scholarship on Augustus and the contribution he made to the development of the Roman state in the early imperial period. The subjects of the selected papers include Augustus' dramatic rise to prominence following the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC and the nature of his powers first as triumvir, then as Princeps; his policy regarding overseas wars and expansion, his administrative and military reforms of the Roman state; the role of his own family, his wife Livia, his son-in-law Agrippa and his adopted sons Gaius and Lucius Caesar and then Tiberius, in public life; his concern to reinforce Roman religion and family life; the development of an ideology that helped bolster his authority as ruler of an expanded Empire, including the importance of visual imagery, monuments and literature in the far-flung propagation of his image as leader; and the impact that his regime made on the communities of the Roman provinces. Jonathan Edmondson sets these papers into the general context of major trends in the study of Augustus in Britain, Europe and North America since the nineteenth century. Five are published here in English for the first time and many include illustrations of the most important visual evidence for the principate of Augustus. The book is equipped with a chronology, a glossary and a guide to further reading; all passages in Latin and Greek are translated into English.

About this title

About the Author

Jonathan Edmondson is Professor of Roman History and Classical Studies at York University, Toronto.

From the Back Cover

'Jonathan Edmondson has gathered a powerful collection of classic essays, written by the most influential historians and archaeologists to have tackled Rome's first emperor over the last half century. They are essential reading for anyone interested in the foundation of the imperial monarchy.' Greg Woolf, University of St Andrews A selection of the most important scholarship on Augustus and the contribution he made to the development of the Roman state in the early imperial period. Augustus (63 BC - AD 14), the first Roman emperor, brought peace and stability to Rome after decades of strife and uncertainty. He put in place a new institutional framework for the Roman Empire and inspired the ideology that sustained it for the next three hundred years. Chapters include: Augustus' dramatic rise to prominence following the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC and the nature of his powers first as triumvir, then as Princeps; his policy regarding overseas wars and expansion, his administrative and military reforms of the Roman state; the role of his own family - his wife Livia, his son-in-law Agrippa and his adopted sons Gaius and Lucius Caesar and then Tiberius - in public life; his concern to reinforce Roman religion and family life; the development of an ideology that helped bolster his authority as ruler of an expanded Empire, including the importance of visual imagery, monuments and literature in the far-flung propagation of his image as leader; and the impact that his regime made on the communities of the Roman provinces. Key features: - Edmondson sets these papers into the general context of major trends in the study of Augustus in Britain, Europe and North America since the nineteenth century - Five are published here in English for the first time and many include illustrations of the most important visual evidence for the principate of Augustus - The book includes a chronology, a glossary and a guide to further reading - All passages in Latin and Greek are translated into English. Jonathan Edmondson is Professor of Roman History and Classical Studies at York University, Toronto. Cover illustration: Portrait of Augustus, with head covered, from Augusta Emerita. Manuel de la Berrera (c) Museo Nacional de Arte Romano. Cover design: River Design, Edinburgh

Edition details

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0748615954
• ISBN 13: 9780748615957
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 576
• Editor: Jonathan Edmondson