Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Following Rome's long road to peace after decades of civil war, Cassius Dio provides the fullest account of the reign of the first emperor in Books 50 through 60 of hisRoman History.
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Synopsis
Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome (27 BC-AD 14), brought peace and prosperity to his city after decades of savage civil war. This selection from Cassius Dio's Roman History gives the fullest description of that long struggle and ultimate triumph - detailing the brutal battles and political feuds that led to the collapse of Rome's 400-year-old republic, and Augustus' subsequent reign as emperor. Included are accounts of military campaigns from Ethiopia to Yugoslavia, and of long conflict with Antony and Cleopatra. With skill and artistry, Dio brings to life many speeches from the era - among them Augustus' damning indictment of Antony's passion for the Egyptian queen - and provides a fascinating account of the debate between the great general Agrippa and Maecenas on the virtues of republicanism and monarchy.
About the Author
John Carter retired from a Senior Lectureship at Royal Holloway college, University of London, in 1992. He collaborated with Ian Scott-Kilvert on Cassius Dio's The Roman History (1987) for Penguin Classics, and other published work includes a history of Augustus' rise to power, The Battle of Actium (1970), and editions of Suetonius' life of Augustus, Divis Augustus (1982), and of Julius Caesar's own account of his war with Pompey, Civil War (2 vols., 1991 and 1993).
Table of Contents
Roman History: The Reign of Augustus Introduction by John Carter
Bibliographical Note
Acknowledgments
A Note on the Text
The Roman History
Notes
Chronological Table
List of Consuls
Key to Place-Names
Maps
1. Italy
2. North-West Europe
3. Germany
4. South-East and Western Anatolia
5. The Middle East
6. North-Western Africa
7. Egypt
8. The Balkans
9. South Russia
10. Plan of Rome
11. Spain
Index