Synopses & Reviews
In this concise biography, Werner Eck, one of the world’s foremost experts on the Roman empire, tells the extraordinary story of Augustus, Rome’s first emperor.
Using literary, archaeological, and legal sources, The Age of Augustus traces the history of the 'Roman revolution' in which Rome was transformed from republic to monarchy. The book provides a vivid narrative of Augustus’ brutal rise to power, from the war against the assassins of Julius Caesar to his struggle against Antony and Cleopatra. It describes the key aspects of his reign, including the expansion of the empire, his relationship with the army and people, and his vast building projects in the city of Rome.
In this English language edition, a new translation of Augustus’ Res Gestae (with a short introduction) and a substantial bibliography have been added. This straightforward book is organized chronologically around Augustus’ own account of his life, making it perfect for anyone approaching the subject for the first time.
Review
Praise for the first edition:
“[Eck’s] narrative (in this fine translation) is readable, rarely obscure and fluently glosses difficult terms and concepts in a way that obviates the need for a glossary. Moreover, he skillfully handles difficult constitutional matters … without confusing the beginner, points out controversial issues, and marks his divergences with current scholarly opinion.”
Bryn Mawr Classical Review
“The book provides a narrative of Augustus’ achievements and expenditures on behalf of the Roman res publica … Eck is of course a recognized authority. He is the pre-eminent Roman administrative historian, prosopographer, and epigraphist of our time.”
The Classical Journal
Review
‘Werner Eck is an eminent Roman historian, and this is a very good book. It provides a compact, clear, balanced survey of Augustus' career and achievements, and a just assessment of his larger place in history.’
Professor Christopher Jones, Harvard University "It is an excellent handbook for students, and far surpasses any potential rivals." Mark Humphries, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
"His narrative (in this fine translation) is readable, rarely obscure and fluently glosses difficult terms and concepts in a way that obviates the need for a glossary. Moreover, he skillfully handles difficult constitutional matters … without confusing the beginner, points out controversial issues, and marks his divergences with current scholarly opinion." Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"The book provides a narrative of Augustus' achievements and expenditures on behalf of the Roman res publica, and seems destined to replace Brunt and Moore 1967 and other commentaries on the Res Gestae as a textbook of Augustan politics. With Zanker 1988 and White 1993 it would form the backbone of a course on the age of Augsutus. Eck is of course a recognized authority. He is the pre-eminent Roman administrative historian, prosopographer, and epigraphist of our time." The Classical Journal
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-158) and index.
Synopsis
In this updated edition of his concise biography, Werner Eck tells the extraordinary story of Augustus, Rome's first monarch.
- Incorporates literary, archaeological, and legal sources to provide a vivid narrative of Augustus’ brutal rise to power
- Written by one of the world’s leading experts on the Roman empire
- Traces the history of the Roman revolution and Rome’s transformation from a republic to an empire
- Includes a new chapter on legislation, further information on the monuments of the Augustan period, more maps and illustrations, and a stemma of Augustus’ family
- Thorough, straightforward, and organized chronologically, this is an ideal resource for anyone approaching the subject for the first time
Synopsis
This concise biography tells the extraordinary story of Augustus, Rome’s first monarch. It traces the history of the Roman revolution and Rome’s transformation from a republic to an empire.
Werner Eck provides a vivid narrative of Augustus’ rise to power. From the war against the assassins of Julius Caesar to his struggle against Antony and Cleopatra, this book describes the key aspects of Augustus’ reign and the expansion of his empire.
This updated edition includes a stemma of Augustus’ family, new information on the monuments of the Augustan period, a new chapter on legislation, a section on the Augustan wars against the German tribes, and additional maps and illustrations. Organized chronologically and according to specific topics, The Age of Augustusis an ideal resource for anyone approaching the subject for the first time.
Synopsis
In this concise biography, Professor Werner Eck, one of the world's leading experts on the Roman empire, tells the extraordinary story of Augustus, Rome's first emperor.
- A concise and gripping account of Augustus and his age.
- Written by one of the world's foremost experts on the Roman Empire.
- Examines the transformation of Rome from a republic to a monarchy.
- Covers domestic and foreign policy, constitutional developments, and cultural achievements.
- Compares Augustus' own account of his life to other historical narratives and archaeological records.
- Includes a new translation of Augustus' Res Gestae with a short introduction and a substantial bibliography to aid further study.
About the Author
Werner Eckis Professor of Ancient History at Cologne University. He is one of the foremost Roman imperial historians in the world and his publications include Die Verwaltung des römischen Reiches in der Hohen Kaiserzeit(1995, 1998), Das senatus consultum de Cn. Pisone patre(with A. Caballos and F. Fernández, 1996), Tra epigrafia, prosopografia e archeologia: Scritti scelti, rielaborati ed aggiornati (1996) and Das römische Köln. Geschichte einer Stadt im Rahmen des Imperium Romanum(2004). He is co-editor of the Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik.
Table of Contents
Contents.
Introduction: The Res Gestae of Augustus.
1. Augustus' Career in Overview: The Res Gestae.
2. Modest Origins, Powerful Relatives.
3. The Seizure of Power: Legalizing Usurpation.
4. The Triumvirate: Dictatorship Sanctioned by Law.
5. The Path to Formal Legitimation as a Ruler.
6. The Final Battles for Power: Actium and Alexandria.
7. A New Political Order: The Principate Takes Shape.
8. The Principate Develops Further.
9. The Princeps and the Roman Elite.
10. The Practical Implementation of Political Power: Governing the Empire.
11. A Standing Army.
12. War and Peace: Expanding the Empire.
13. Rome, the Augustan City.
14. The Quest for Political Continuity: The Succession.
15. Augustus' Death and the Future of the Empire.
Time Line.
Appendix: Translation of Augustus' Res Gestae.
Bibliography.