The Lives of the Twelve Caesars -Augustus-: The Life of Augustus from The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, (Hardcover)

Suetonius' biography of Augustus presents a vivid portrait of the first Roman emperor and the founder of the Roman imperial system.

In this celebrated life from The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, the Roman historian Suetonius recounts the career of Gaius Octavius-later known as Augustus-who rose from the adopted heir of Julius Caesar to become the undisputed ruler of Rome. Through political skill, military success, and careful management of public image, Augustus transformed the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire while maintaining the outward forms of republican government.

Suetonius traces Augustus's early struggles during the civil wars following Caesar's assassination, his rivalry and eventual victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and the establishment of a new political order that brought relative stability to the Roman world. The biography also examines Augustus's personal character, habits, and domestic life, offering insights into the man behind the imperial office.

Written in the early second century, Suetonius's work combines historical narrative with memorable anecdotes and observations about the personalities of Rome's rulers. The life of Augustus stands as one of the most important accounts of the transition from Republic to Empire and the beginnings of imperial Rome.