Augustus: Godfather of Europe

Following his successful biography of Nero, Richard Holland now turns his attention to Rome's first emperor, Augustus, about whom so little is known despite a reign of 44 years. The focus throughout this well-written study is on the figure of Augustus himself rather than on the cultural and social achievements of the Augustan Age that tend to overshadow his character. Much of the book focuses on the death of the Republic and the extraordinary circumstances that saw this `young pretender', an insignificant-looking teenager, seize control from men such as Mark Antony in the aftermath of Caesar's murder. Augustus' manipulation of the ordinary as well as powerful people of Rome, his control of the army and his determined pursuit of Brutus and Mark Antony are vividly discussed here. Wherever possible, Holland searches these events, as well as Octavian's relations with such figures as Cicero, Mark Antony, Cleopatra and Virgil, for clues to the nature of the man Augustus. Many of the charges laid at Augustus' door, and later distorted by Shakespeare, are found to be tittle-tattle but he is till shown as a figure of conflict, combining generosity, prudence and a deep love for his wife of fifty years with `ruthless bloodletting' and the severe punishment of his only child. Above all, however, this book demonstrates the sheer power of Augustus' personality and legacy as emperor, as head of a great dynasty and as a `founding father of western civilisation'. This is a very enjoyable read with notes confined to the back. Read more