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Message:: [QUOTE="JCB1983, post: 1317645, member: 23885"](not my work, but very interesting information about Augustus) Augustus, no doubt, was one of the greatest emperors. The greatest? Possibly... but it's debatable. But to really understand why Augustus is held in such high regard you have to understand the context within which he lived: Shortly before Augustus the Roman government (a "republic" that was basically ruled by rich men) was going through a serious crisis: corruption which lead to serious civil disorder. This corruption was rooted in their ever expanding territory which concentrated more and more wealth and raised the bar of risks and rewards for those that played the very dangerous game of Roman politics. Several powerful and ambitious politicians of this age (the Grachi brothers, Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Crassus, Ceasar, etc.) competed with each other in less than legitimate ways to control the power of Rome. Sulla was able to conquer Rome and declare himself dictator. Marius did the same. Pompey, Crassus and Ceasar formed the not so secret First Triumvirate (which was basically a political alliance where the three men consolidated their political power to help each other essentially hijack and control the Roman government), Ceasar sacked Rome and declared himself dictator, etc. These ambitious politicians and their actions created huge amounts of civil disobedience. It soon became clear that the problem was that the Republic itself was not capable in its existing form to control the vast territory, populations and wealth that they had rapidly acquired over the last several decades. Enter Augustus: The adopted heir of Julius Ceasar he was no different than any of the ambitious politicians that came before him. He completely disregarded the laws of the republic to achieve his own personal goal: to become sole ruler of Rome. He was able to achieve this eventually when he finally defeated Ceasar's right hand man Marc Antony and became dictator at the ripe age of 31! Augustus is remarkable because unlike the other politicians that came before once he gained power he was able to keep it. Augustus was a masterful politician in that he shared just enough power with the senate (rich people) that assassination attempts were few and far between, he also created a public figure that was humble and generous to the people. He always denied that he was a king or dictator, instead he called himself, "first citizen" or Princeps. The end result is that peace did follow. Rome was still an aggressive power but no major campaigns for additional territory were undertaken. There was no civil war again for 100 years from between his victory over Antony in 30 BC until 69 AD when Nero died. Naturally peace improved trade and economy for Rome and it's provinces. He implemented several reforms for the better treatment of provincials (foreigners under roman rule), reduced corruption and made many improvements to the city of Rome itself. But Augustus had a dark side too. Some argue any great ruler does. He kept close watch over his friends and enemies, not hesitating to murder those he saw as threats. He killed Ceasar's 10 year old son. He banished his daughter to a island prison for the later portion of her life. He killed his best friend's son (Agrippa Postumas). He was no doubt the aggressor in his civil war with Antony. These are but popular examples that represent what was no doubt something of a police state ruled by arbitrary whims of Augustus, but disguised as legitimate law and Roman tradition. That was truly Augustus greatest "achievement".[/QUOTE]

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