What do you think?
Rate this book
Compendium of Roman History / Res Gestae Divi Augusti
The "Compendium of Roman History" is a summarised history of Rome from the fall of Troy to 29 CE, written by the professional soldier and amateur historian Velleius Paterculus. The work has been criticised for its quality and pro-imperial bias, but it has concise essays on Roman colonies and provinces, and some effective portrayals of characters.
The "Res Gestae Divi Augusti" is a short account of the great achievements of the emperor Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire. This document was circulated throughout the Empire, and was reproduced many times. It is a unique document giving short details of his public offices and honours; his benefactions to the empire, to the people, and to the soldiers; and his services as a soldier and as an administrator. Arguably, it does gloss over his less pleasant acts. The best preserved copy (Latin and Greek) was engraved by the Galatians on the walls of the temple of Augustus at Ancyra (Ankara).
This is a Loeb edition. The left page of the text contains the original Latin, the right page, an English translation.
The "Res Gestae Divi Augusti" is a short account of the great achievements of the emperor Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire. This document was circulated throughout the Empire, and was reproduced many times. It is a unique document giving short details of his public offices and honours; his benefactions to the empire, to the people, and to the soldiers; and his services as a soldier and as an administrator. Arguably, it does gloss over his less pleasant acts. The best preserved copy (Latin and Greek) was engraved by the Galatians on the walls of the temple of Augustus at Ancyra (Ankara).
This is a Loeb edition. The left page of the text contains the original Latin, the right page, an English translation.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1924
1 person is currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Velleius Paterculus
123 books5 followersMarcus Velleius Paterculus (possibly: Gaius Velleius Paterculus) was a Roman soldier and commander in the early imperial period (c. 19 BCE - c. 30 CE). He lived and served under the first emperor Augustus, and then under his adopted son and heir, Tiberius.
Paterculus' military career included various significant postings in Europe, and to the eastern empire. His political career was also successful. He was appointed quaestor, and subsequently attainted the penultimate rank of praetor.
He is best known to posterity as the author of a brief "Compendium of Roman History", which began with the legendary origins of Rome (Troy), and concluded with the death of the first empress, the lady Livia, in 29 CE.
The history is a useful resource, but shows evidence of bias towards the imperial family and occasional mediocre research.
There is no known likeness of Velleius.
Paterculus' military career included various significant postings in Europe, and to the eastern empire. His political career was also successful. He was appointed quaestor, and subsequently attainted the penultimate rank of praetor.
He is best known to posterity as the author of a brief "Compendium of Roman History", which began with the legendary origins of Rome (Troy), and concluded with the death of the first empress, the lady Livia, in 29 CE.
The history is a useful resource, but shows evidence of bias towards the imperial family and occasional mediocre research.
There is no known likeness of Velleius.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 21, 2019
A great chronologist who is key to understanding some discrepancies essential to aligning western to eastern chrono in the future; a soldier working in the middle east under the occultic and interesting Emperor Tiberius (in whose reign and general vicinity, near Antioch, Christ lived in per the secular and religious records); a great summarizer of all Roman History from inception; I would definitely recommend this work.
Combining this with historians under Claudius to Hadrian I do believe can start to give a proper, somewhat more fleshed out, secular background to a moment in time when Early Christianity arose. He mentions some telling information in his own witness of certain meetings with kings of peoples in Syria and Palestine and such environs then. For example he speaks of witnessing when Gaius met Aramathes, King of Kings, of Parthia in Book II.
Also, Rome is an essential motif to the formation of western history (and so all of history) and it is good to get an insiders view from an early Roman himself on all of Roman history in brief panorama and in an unfanciful and not purely militaristic “play by play” way - as other roman historians often fall into the error of.
Combining this with historians under Claudius to Hadrian I do believe can start to give a proper, somewhat more fleshed out, secular background to a moment in time when Early Christianity arose. He mentions some telling information in his own witness of certain meetings with kings of peoples in Syria and Palestine and such environs then. For example he speaks of witnessing when Gaius met Aramathes, King of Kings, of Parthia in Book II.
Also, Rome is an essential motif to the formation of western history (and so all of history) and it is good to get an insiders view from an early Roman himself on all of Roman history in brief panorama and in an unfanciful and not purely militaristic “play by play” way - as other roman historians often fall into the error of.
December 12, 2018
A fun read, including dabbling with the Latin original (and some classical Greek with the Res Gestae Divi Augusti). Lots of interesting historical facts that helped to reinforce various moments of Roman history I've picked up over the last few years listening to great podcasts like Emperors of Rome (Rhiannon Evans & Matt Smith). I really also enjoyed the short second piece on Augustus's works/CV. While the pseudo-modesty is easily seen through, the impact of his reign on Rome (the late Republic and the Empire) is hard to understate. All in all, fun and a great future reference to have on the shelf.
December 3, 2012
I have always had a soft spot for Velleius. With all his faults, which are always described freely by professional historians, I can see his earnestness in his work. Whatever else his faults, he was not un-passionate about the nation he served. One of the chaps who ran hither and yon, holding the empire together.
"The Great Achievements of the God Augustus" ummm. The Senate asked me to save the state from civil war — no wait, I started that civil war. Guess which is included here?
Read the latter in my undergrad days. The former in my Masters. The good old days.
"The Great Achievements of the God Augustus" ummm. The Senate asked me to save the state from civil war — no wait, I started that civil war. Guess which is included here?
Read the latter in my undergrad days. The former in my Masters. The good old days.
March 25, 2024
What can you say? It is Primary Source. I would have a basic understanding of Roman history before you read it, though.
August 4, 2014
The res gestae is worth a brisk read - like a true Roman, read it in the Greek and save the Latin for a romanized provincial.
About Paterculus the less said the better.
About Paterculus the less said the better.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews