Augustus

Augustus by Adrian Goldsworthy

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Augustus:

Always remember to pay your bodyguards.

Quick synopsis:

A biography of Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome.

Fact for Non-History People:

Yes, that’s where we get August from. The month is named after him. It used to be Sextilis. August is definitely catchier.

Fact for History Nerds:

Augustus ushered in what is called the Pax Romana or the Roman Empire’s Golden Age.

My Take on Augustus:

Augustus, no matter what you think of him, is a giant in human history. He rubbed elbows with the likes of Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra. He was constantly at war while being an amazing administrator and politician. His family life was as messy as any emperor, but he somehow made the Roman Empire that we think about when we think of its amazing apex.

This book is detailed, and Goldsworthy gives you everything you need to understand the time and the system Augustus worked within and ultimately mastered. However, it takes a lot of time to get all caught up on that and then remember what the hell a consul is. Or why this guy couldn’t come into Rome. This means, for someone like me, there is so much to learn that the book can seem slow at times. If you are well read on ancient Rome, then you might find there are details you already know quite well slowing down the narrative.

All that said, this book is still good and you will learn everything under the sun about Augustus.

I’m still not sure of the difference between a consul and senator, though. That’s probably my fault.

Verdict:

A good book that may be slow depending on your point of view. Buy it here!

If You Liked This Try:


Posted

in

by

Comments

Leave a Reply