Caesar Augustus: Seven Aspects

by Fergus Millar, Erich Segal (Editor)

This book presents seven fresh and original views of Caesar Augustus by an international group of scholars. The papers collected here consider the image which he presented of himself, how historians and poets reacted to him, the nature of his rule, and the representation of the newly-established monarch among his subjects in the provinces.

232 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 1984

About the author

Sir Fergus Millar was a British historian and Camden Professor of Ancient History Emeritus, Oxford University. Millar numbers among the most influential ancient historians of the 20th century.

Reviews

[James Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The papers in this volume provide a fascinating range of opinions on Augustus. All of them are interesting, but which most so will depend upon personal interest: I found Bowerstock's paper on the East and the succession very interesting as it raises further questions about Tiberius' complex accession and just how keen he was. I also enjoyed Griffin's paper on how the Augustan poets skirted around the demands of Augustus very interesting even though so lartge a subject could hardly be covered fully in a short paper.

The format could have been more consistent: some papers have quotations translated, others not. On the whole the use of copious end-notes for each chapter made following up ideas easy without allowing footnotes to intrude too far.

I would recommend this to anyone seeking a range of voices on a fascinating period, but the price is high for so slim a volume.