The Age of Augustus by Werner Eck

At the age of nineteen, he wrote, he had entered Roman politics abruptly, acting «on his own initiative» and «at his own expense»

As far back as I can remember I have always been fascinated by the Roman history. When I was 12, I have read The Twelve Caesars by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus. Frankly speaking, I read it to find out more about Roman orgies, not emperors.  At the age of 17, after watching HBO series Rome, I have developed fixation on Augustus. I have read a lot of books and Internet materials about him, but my knowledge was far from systemic. Then, at the age of 21, I have found in one bookstore The Age of Augustus by Werner Eck, which I would review now…

Werner Eck begins The Age of Augustus with overview of Augustus cult and the main document – the Res Gestae Divi Augusti («The deeds of the Divine Augustus»). The text of the Res Gestae provides a glorified self-portrait of the first princeps of Rome. Then, Werner Eck quotes the historian Tacitus who showed Augustus as unscrupulous, ruthless, power-craving individual. Each part of this book includes some quotation from the Res Gestae and Werner Eck would doubt it’s truthfulness.

Gaius Octavian, who would later acquire the title Augustus, was born in a patrician family, connected with Julius Caesar. Werner Eck makes a point that Julius Caesar saw potential in his grandnephew by making him his sole heir and recipient of the three-quarters of his estate. Nevertheless, this will was not final and Caesar planned to live longer and possibly change this document, but certain circumstances quickly made the terms of his will relevant.

The Age of Augustus portrays Augustus as clever and charismatic leader with good political instincts. The epigraph of this review is not far from truth, except for «at my own expense» part. He never backed off from political maneuver, when it was necessary. One example of such «U-Turn» is his political and military union with the Republicans in 43 BC.

Werner Eck portrays slow development of the principate. One of Augustus favorite maxims ran festina lente («slow and steady wins the race»). The author quoted Cassius Dio, who wrote in Roman History about a debate on the future of government in Rome, between Augustus, Maecenas and Agirippa. The author brilliantly explains difficult constitutional and legal matters for the common readers.

Augustus clearly understood that he could not return to Julius Caesar model, neither could he get back to the Republic. Therefore, he had decided to restore the old republic, at least in name. He cunningly used the legal mechanisms, devised by the «Roman Constition» and created or initiated his own laws and by-laws. Every lawyer would find this part of The Age of Augustus the most interesting and amusing.

Social legislation plays an important part in this book. Augustus had revolutionized the Family law of Rome by adopting harsh anti-adultery legislation and putting Romans under obligation to marry. This was the most important piece of legislation for Roman people. Werner Eck praises Augustus for changing the way of governing the Empire. The princeps has outlawed the most controversial tax practices and even allowed filing complaints about governors.

Werner Eck makes a special point about exact title of Augustus. Imperator means «victorious commander», so Augustus was not am emperor, in a later sense of this word. That is why Augustus was not am emperor; the source of his authority were provinces, delegated to him by The Senate and People of Rome, and proconsul imperium. I am personally thankful for this part, which helped me to understand Augustus legal status.   

The Age of Augustus does not forget about failures of the princeps: disastrous German campaign, periodic bankruptcy of the Treasury, cases of outward nepotism. But his rule has been summed up by these words: «None of his successors as ruler of the Roman empire could present a similar balance sheet. And what statesman of later ages could enter in competition with him?».

Enclosing, The Age of Augustus is a very interesting book for professional historians and amateurs alike. I liked it so much, that I have even translated it in Russian (no joking), now I am trying to publish it.