Werner Eck, one of the leading scholars of Roman history, presents a comprehensive and clear account of the life of Octavian Augustus from his humble beginnings to his rise to power, the establishment of his regime, and his death. Based on literary, historical, and archaeological sources, Eck narrates the life and political activities of Augustus, which coincide with the tumultuous history of Rome in the second half of the 1st century BC and the beginning of the 1st century AD, as the res publica gradually transforms into an Empire. All aspects of Augustus' life and career are systematically and methodically covered: his start and appearance on the political scene, gradual ascent and gradual accumulation of offices, power and administration, relationship with the Senate and the social classes of Rome, diplomacy and foreign policy, military operations and expansion of the Roman Empire, reconstruction and transformation of the face of Rome, his relationship with other members of his family, succession, and death. The historical account is accompanied at the end of the book by the first Greek translation of Augustus' Res Gestae, the text he himself wrote in order for everyone to learn about the titles and achievements he accomplished during the years he lived and acted.
This book is a valuable aid for the enthusiastic reader approaching Augustus and his era for the first time, for students of Philology and History, as well as for experienced and systematic scholars of Roman history.