Augustus: Image and Substance

📘 Book Details

• Publisher: Routledge

• Author: Barbara Levick

• Language: English

• Edition: 1

• ISBN: 9780582894211

• Pages: 376

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches

📝 About The Book

The Emperor Augustus by Barbara Levick offers a compelling and insightful examination of one of Rome’s most influential and enigmatic rulers. A master of political strategy and self-promotion, Augustus (63 BC – AD 14) skillfully transformed his image from a ruthless power-seeker into a benevolent and admired emperor. In this meticulously researched biography, Levick reveals the calculated political maneuvers, propaganda, and autocratic techniques Augustus employed to secure and maintain control over the Roman Empire.

Far from being a passive observer of events, Augustus shaped the narrative of his own legacy by manipulating artists, poets, and public monuments to reinforce his authority and divine status. Levick argues that beneath the surface of his apparent magnanimity lay a shrewd operator, determined to establish and perpetuate his dynasty at any cost.

Charting the evolution of his power, from the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra to the solidification of his rule, this book uncovers the complex reality of imperial politics in ancient Rome. With rich historical context and analytical depth, The Emperor Augustus resonates powerfully in today’s world of political image-making and statecraft.

A vital resource for students of ancient history and a captivating read for general enthusiasts of Roman civilization, this book highlights Barbara Levick’s exceptional scholarship and her ability to bring the ancient world vividly to life.