Augustus and the creation of the Roman empire: a brief history with documents

A note about the text

Introduction: From Octavian to Augustus

The collapse of the Roman Republic

The rise of Octavian

Augustus as Princeps

The new constitution

Creating a new elite: Senators and equestrians

Social and religious reform

The army in war and peace

Italy and the provinces

The Imperial family and succession

"A City of Marble"

The Golden age of Latin literature

The death and legacy of Augustus

The evaluation of Augustus

Principal literary sources for the Age of Augustus

The documents

The rise of Octavian

Augustus, The achievements of Augustus, 14 CE

Nicolaus of Damascus, On Julius Caesar's admiration for the young Octavius, 20s BCE

Suetonius, on the Ides of March: The assassination of Julius Caesar, Second century CE

Appian, on Octavian's first confrontation with Antony, Second century CE

Marcus Tullius Cicero, letters revealing his views of young Octavian, 44 BCE

Appian, on the Second Triumvirate, Second century CE

Tacitus, A senatorial view of the Civil War, Second century CE

Plutarch, On Cleopatra's seduction of Mark Antony, Second century CE

Cassius Dio, On Octavian's propaganda against Antony, Third century CE

Suetonius, On Antony's propaganda against Octavian in 34 BCE, Second century CE

Cassius Dio, On the conquest of Egypt, Third century CE

Augustus as Princeps

Suetonius, On the restoration of the Republic, Second century CE

Cassius Dio, On the Illness of Augustus in 23 BCE, Third century CE.