AUGUSTUS THE BUILDER

During Augustus' 44-year reign, ambitious new buildings rose using advanced construction techniques, funded in large part with the proceeds of war plunder, facilitated largely by his loyal friend Marcus Agrippa, and maintained by professional direct labour organizations.

Lindsay Powell

THEME: The age of Augustus TRANSFORMING THE CITY OF ROME THEME In AD 14, the 74-year-old Augustus “became ill, and sending for his associates, he told them all his wishes, adding finally: 'I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble'” (Dio, 56.30.3). One of the inspirations for this work was his adoptive father, Julius Caesar, who, “In particular, for the adornment and convenience of the city, also for the protection and extension of the Empire, he formed more projects and more extensive ones every day” (Suetonius, Julius Caesar 44). However, “these enterprises and plans were cut short by his death” (Suetonius, Julius Caesar 44). The ensuing civil wars enabled Octavian, Caesar's son and heir (known as Augustus after 27 BC), to become the preeminent man of Rome…

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Ancient History (Digital) - 1 Issue, AH 50

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