Augustus (Roman Imperial Biographies) - Hardcover

Southern, Patricia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415166314 ISBN 13: 9780415166317

Publisher: Routledge, 1998

Despite his talent for self-promotion, the character of the emperor Augustus is rarely revealed and as such makes this biography unique in its presentation of Augustus the man. Pat Southern chronologically traces the life, works and times of the emperor, presenting ideology and events from his point of view to provide a compelling depiction of an extraordinary man, who was the guiding light in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Review:

"Southern has contributed the first true biography of Augustus Caesar in 75 years." -"Publishers Weekly "an accessible and well-written...portrait of an extraordinary man." -"The Globe and Mail, 12/98 "[a] crisply written and well-researched biography...A concise and thoughtful contribution to the literature of one of history's great turning points." -"Kirkus, 9/98 "Because Southern places her subject firmly in historical context by reviewing the social, economic, and political realities of the times, she manages to paint a full-bodied portrait of one of the most fascinating, influential, and authoritarian sovereigns in the annals of Western civilization." -"Booklist, 11/98 "For someone seeking a short introduction to the study of Augustus and his reign, this readable work is a good place to start. Strongly recommended for readers at all levels." -"Choice, 3/99

Synopsis:

Despite his talent for self-promotion, the character of the emperor Augustus is rarely revealed. Portraits of him abound, most of them contemporary, but in all of these portraits he is perpetually young and vigorous, never allowed to age even when he reached his seventies. The real person was deliberately veiled, screened from public scrutiny by an orchestrated facade that was not necessarily false, but which was tailored to circumstances and adapted accordingly when circumstances changed. This biography of Augustus is unique in its presentation of Augustus the man. Pat Southern traces the life, works and times of the emperor chronologically, presenting ideology and events as they occurred from Augustus' point of view to provide a compelling depiction of an extraordinary man, who was the guiding light in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0415166314
• ISBN 13: 9780415166317
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 312