Brunt P.A., Moore J.M. Res Gestae Divi Augusti: The Achievements of the Divine Augustus

Oxford University Press, 1983. — 96 p.Brunt and Moore's translation and notes on "The Achievements of the Divine Augustus" - "The Res Gestae Divi Augusti" - is an absolute must for those studying this incredibly important era in history. The Res Gestae itself is what Augustus wished Romans and the rest of the world would believe him to have achieved. It is a large piece of epigraphical work which was put up in Rome and copied throughout the empire (the version that has survived in its fullest form is the one in Ankara in Turkey). He is often very succinct with these "achievements" and somewhat stretches the truth at times. But this ADDs to the interest in this piece rather than detracts. Later Emperors were open to much ridicule and hatred after their death (Claudius and Domitian immediately spring to mind) whereas here Augustus had carved out how wonderful he was all over the empire - as creator of the seat of power - who was going to argue with him? This volume may be less than 100 pages but it is very important in order to get inside Augustus's mind and look at what he wanted people to believe - it does not always tally with reality but this just makes the whole thing more interesting.