Product Description

In this updated edition of his concise biography, Werner Eck tells the extraordinary story of Augustus, Rome′s first monarch.

• Incorporates literary, archaeological, and legal sources to provide a vivid narrative of Augustus’ brutal rise to power
  
• Written by one of the world’s leading experts on the Roman empire
  
• Traces the history of the Roman revolution and Rome’s transformation from a republic to an empire
  
• Includes a new chapter on legislation, further information on the monuments of the Augustan period, more maps and illustrations, and a stemma of Augustus’ family
  
• Thorough, straightforward, and organized chronologically, this is an ideal resource for anyone approaching the subject for the first time

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #120236 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"Eck has produced a second edition of The Age of Augustus good news, especially as this is not just the same lucid book of 2003 with additional bibliography, but has a new chapter, a section on the German wars, and new illustrative material, growing by more than forty pages." (Greece & Rome, 2008)

Praise for the first edition:

“[Eck’s] narrative (in this fine translation) is readable, rarely obscure and fluently glosses difficult terms and concepts in a way that obviates the need for a glossary. Moreover, he skillfully handles difficult constitutional matters … without confusing the beginner, points out controversial issues, and marks his divergences with current scholarly opinion.” (Bryn Mawr Classical Review)

“The book provides a narrative of Augustus’ achievements and expenditures on behalf of the Roman res publica … Eck is of course a recognized authority. He is the pre–eminent Roman administrative historian, prosopographer, and epigraphist of our time.” (The Classical Journal)

Mark Humphries, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
It is an excellent handbook for students, and far surpasses any potential rivals.

From the Back Cover
This concise biography tells the extraordinary story of Augustus, Rome’s first monarch. It traces the history of the Roman revolution and Rome’s transformation from a republic to an empire.

Werner Eck provides a vivid narrative of Augustus’ rise to power. From the war against the assassins of Julius Caesar to his struggle against Antony and Cleopatra, this book describes the key aspects of Augustus’ reign and the expansion of his empire.

This updated edition includes a stemma of Augustus’ family, new information on the monuments of the Augustan period, a new chapter on legislation, a section on the Augustan wars against the German tribes, and additional maps and illustrations. Organized chronologically and according to specific topics, The Age of Augustus is an ideal resource for anyone approaching the subject for the first time.

Customer Reviews

A compelling, lucid, thoughtful and concise introduction to Augustus
If you are looking for a concise, clever and innovative account on both the reign and age of Augustus, then this is the book for you. Eck is a peerless historian on Rome and this work really packs a punch in terms of what it acheives. First it provides a comprehensive overview of the era, no mean feat in itself, but also seeks to challenge established ideas on Augustus too. Not least of all Eck seeks to deconstruct some of the myth that surrounds Augustus.

The first myth that Eck tries to dismantle is the extent to which Augustus' role was constitutional and built upon traditional roles. Eck challenges this and actually looks to see Augustus' assumption of the roles and statuses as something radical - perhaps using the terminology of the res publica but giving it new meaning. This is a fascinating argument providing an extension of the groundwork laid by historians such as Syme in the "Roman Revolution" and also challenging the general consensus amongst Roman Historian's who seem to take Augustus word a little too literally when it comes to the restoration of the republic. The argument has considerably merit and is well handled in a work that is so short.

In keeping with the above Eck also looks at Augustus' relationship with the military, often underplayed as a source of his power, Eck looks at how Augustus often used the threat of coercion to acheive his means either as a young man and Caesar's heir through to when he held proconsular imperium. The enjoyment from this work is perhaps derived from the deconstruction of the Augustan myth, though Eck is quick to point out that Augustus was perhaps acting in way that his peers would have acted and equally that his acheivements as a statesman were unrivalled.

That aside the chapter on the German Wars, the succession are enjoyable in their own right. For those looking for an engaging and entertaining introduction to Augustus, this book is well worth reading.