jjares reviewed Augustus: A Captivating Guide to the First Emperor of Rome and How He Ruled the Roman Empire on + 3294 more book reviews
Augustus was a craftier politician than Julius Ceasar. Julius was too obvious about his intentions and for his pains, he was assassinated. Augustus learned from his predecessor and seemed to be giving up power when he actually was gathering more. He gave the Roman public what they wanted -- peace, stability, wealth -- and they let him seduce them into getting what he wanted.
Augustus was better at politics than weapons and he worked with his strength by negotiating with the Parthians for peace. He helped the Romans feel better about themselves by working on infrastructure, art, architecture, and religious buildings. After Augustus took hold of the reins of power, peace and prosperity became the watchwords for the Romans. It was even given a name, Pax Romana, and lasted about 200 years.
When the author talks about the innovations of Augustus, I was surprised by the variety. He created a fire-fighting service in Rome, as well as a policing service. Throughout the Roman Empire, roads, trade routes, bridges, and aqueducts were developed or improved. He brought about a uniform currency system and instituted a postal system. The first emperor of Rome was a contradiction in terms. He was ruthless getting power, then he seems to have had the best intentions for his beloved Rome after he achieved the power he sought.
Augustus was better at politics than weapons and he worked with his strength by negotiating with the Parthians for peace. He helped the Romans feel better about themselves by working on infrastructure, art, architecture, and religious buildings. After Augustus took hold of the reins of power, peace and prosperity became the watchwords for the Romans. It was even given a name, Pax Romana, and lasted about 200 years.
When the author talks about the innovations of Augustus, I was surprised by the variety. He created a fire-fighting service in Rome, as well as a policing service. Throughout the Roman Empire, roads, trade routes, bridges, and aqueducts were developed or improved. He brought about a uniform currency system and instituted a postal system. The first emperor of Rome was a contradiction in terms. He was ruthless getting power, then he seems to have had the best intentions for his beloved Rome after he achieved the power he sought.
