Augustan Rome

by Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

Written by Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, one of the world's foremost scholars on Roman social and cultural history, this well-established introduction to Rome in the Age of Augustus provides a fascinating insight into the social and physical contexts of Augustan politics and poetry, exploring in detail the impact of the new regime of government on society. Taking an interpretative approach, the ideas and environment manipulated by Augustus are explored, along with reactions to that manipulation. Emphasising the role and impact of art and architecture of the time, and on Roman attitudes and values, Augustan Rome explains how the victory of Octavian at Actium transformed Rome and Roman life. This thought-provoking yet concise volume sets political changes in the context of their impact on Roman values, on the imaginative world of poetry, on the visual world of art, and on the fabric of the city of Rome.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, Ancient History, Ancient

105 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 1993

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a passive gift from a former college professor and I devoured it in just a few days (work tends to slow me down), but this book was fascinating. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill does a great job of providing his reader a general overview of Augustan Rome without letting the book become just a superficial exercise. His writing is balanced by a careful analysis that allows his reader to understand the society, the culture, the mythos, and the superstructure that Augutus slowly built into the Roman Empire that lasted after him. Augustus becomes in this book, not just a grand emperor, but an important human being who literally shaped the world according his vision and ambition.

This is a wonderful book for anyone beginning their introduction to Roman studies.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I am somewhat over-qualified for this book - it's meant as an introduction, and I am well past that stage. But sometimes it's nice to pick something up to refresh the details in your memory (after all, I might have a master's in Classical studies, but Augustus as such has never been a main interest of mine), and this one does it very well.

[Armand R.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Accurate and Simple to Read

This is a review of the following edition:


Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, Augustan Rome — Classical World (2d Edition, 2018, Bloomsbury Academic Edition, ISBN 9781472528995 (ePub))

Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (AWH) is a great scholar of Rome, being professor of classics at Cambridge University, and having lived 14 years in Rome for his research.

In „Augustan Rome“ — now in its second edition — AWH includes a wealth of beautiful photographs and architectural sketches, with a reliable introduction in very simple prose of the state of the scholarship on the era of Caesar Augustus.

The book is ideal, in that the prose is non-academic and simple, while relying on the present state of scholarship presented by a Cambridge authority who himself is a leader in the field.

Moreover, in the final section, AWH provides a compact bibliography to lead the reader on her exploratory journey to dig as deeply as she wants in this era characterized by institutionalization of law that was the model for all modern legal systems, as well as among the greatest of world poetry.

AWH did features available on Amazon Prime, not least, including „Herculaneum Uncovered,“ which I highly recommend.

AWH‘s professional colleague at Cambridge, Mary Beard, has written „SPQR — A History of Ancient Rome“ (available on Kindle), which is another quite readable narrative of the modern scholarship on Rome.

Mary Beard herself has narrated very good Prime Video features on Ancient Rome, not least her „Roman Empire Without Limits,“ as well as features on Julius Caesar and Caligula. I am very, very partial to Professor Beard‘s narratives, because she is a leading scholar in these studies, her narratives are presented quite simply, and she charms me with her personality type of „Miss Marple“ as she literally walks you around the archaeological sites with detective-like thoroughness and Miss Marple‘s considerable humor, warmth and personal charm. Professor Beard is one of my favorite narrators.

I highly recommend the two volume study of Roman History by H. H. Scullard, the work of Klaus Bringman (best in German if you are bilingual), and definitely Ronald Syme, „The Roman Revolution.“

[Joce · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting approach to how Augustus cemented his regime's legitimacy through culture and ideology. Wallace-Hadrill offers a particularly sympathetic approach to how the Romans viewed Augustus as a sort of divine saviour figure, arguing that this was the only way in which they could properly conceptualise his "newness" in the res publica. I would, however, be interested on knowing more about why the Romans were so willing to accept what Augustus had in store.

[Jacky Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent--and even more importantly, insightful--introduction to Augustan Rome. Particularly impressed by the view that Augustus' portrayal as god was not only propagandistic, but also a way for the Romans to understand the never-before-seen abnormal powers that Augustus wielded under the framework of Roman tradition.

[MG King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very captivating writing style and well. Well. I liked the pictures.

Wouldn’t recommend to someone unfamiliar with the subject but he makes that pretty clear in the intro so all love.

Very much enjoyed the takes on religion, worship of Augustus, and relation to Christianity. Very cool!

[Eleanor Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally the best and shortest crush course Augustus textbook. So short but includes everything.

[alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good and concise introduction to the topic!! and i love that each chapter is split into subchapters, making it very well organised and easy to read

[Not Well Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides plenty of useful factual detail for issues across the period – it does not go into great detail or matters of opinion much, but is a perfectly good entrance into the subject or, alternatively, can refresh and expand knowledge of topics the reader may have studied in the past. (The discussion of Augustus as a messianic figure in the final chapter is particularly interesting, however, as one that does not arise in a typical Roman History course.)

I would clarify on what one of the other reviews said about Augustus’ supposed reluctance to claim power (explained by me in accordance with what is stated in the book): Augustus did not really want to give up his power, but deliberately made a show of relinquishing it and having the Senate and people beg him to keep his influence, which he did in a supposedly limited way during that period. Augustus made a spectacle for modesty’s sake, but did not seriously intend to remove himself from public life and knew that he would get the reaction he received – to put it succinctly, it was not a sincere gesture but a gamble that paid off.

The book keeps the balance between the facts and dates of the period and (where necessary) some more speculative information; and since this seems to be Wallace-Hadrill’s priority, it is probably for the best that he generally avoids personal assertions of view. The frequent inclusion of visual aid, although black and white, may benefit people who find visuals more engaging than only text. Since there is so much to cover in the period, it should still be regarded as introductory (the further reading list is lengthy and will certainly not go amiss), but it achieves the series’ purported aims perfectly well.

[Alec · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for class which usually means I won't like it, but this book wasn't too bad.
It was quite interesting seeing how Augustus rose to power and the unique way the people viewed him. I think it's funny that after he won at Actium he didn't want any power, but the senate and people wanted him to rule, so he decided to take over everything, and build lots of monuments of himself, and killed people who tried to be better than him. That was quite some change in attitudes.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent introduction. Particularly good section on Augustus and religion. Some of the illustrations were not very clear & there isn't an index, but overall really useful and informative.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, easy to read overview of the reforms enacted by Augustus that gave shape to the Roman Empire and, in a certain way, to early Greco-Roman Christianity.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily understandable and clearly laid out. This is a perfect introduction!