The Roman History: The Reign of Augustus (Penguin Classics)

This classic text was extremely helpful in my studies. Highly Recommend!

I found this book most useful, I was able to equate it to the book I received from the Library, and when I sent the book back was able to follow on with my e-book without pause.

A standard penguin book.

I first read Cassius Dio when I was a Classics student in graduate school, and I have wanted tor read it again, refresh myself with it, for 30 years. It was as interesting as I'd remembered it.

I read Cassius Dio for a class on the Early Roman Empire and found this work to be an absolute joy! Its saddening that Cassius Dio is not more widely read.

Great book.

Cassius Dio is one of the best historians of Roman history.His account of the massacre in the Teutoberg Forest is really factual and true to life as well detailing the treachery of Arminius and the stupidity of Varus. I would reccomend this book to any Roman historian or even a novice who is just fascinated by the great power and majesty of the ancient Roman Empire and the ancient Roman warriors! Jim lazar

Born in ancient Bithynia (present NW Turkey) in AD 164, Cassius Dio moved to Rome in 180, eventually assuming influential positions including consul under Emperor Septimius Severus in 206. He wrote the 80-volume “The Roman History” over the years 211-217 and 223-229, 200 years after the death of Augustus. His books 50-56, “The Reign of Augustus”, were found almost complete, with many other volumes missing.This fascinating 1800-year-old manuscript covers the period from 32 BC, when Octavian (later named Augustus in 27 BC) commences civil war against Marc Antony, to AD 14, when Augustus dies. The book is a diary of military triumphs and expeditions, constructing and dedicating temples, basilicas, baths, theaters, precincts, campuses and porticos, and appointments of provisional governors and Rome commissioners. Dio describes how Marcus Agrippa, Augustus’s most influential supporter and a decorated general, in 25 BC embellishes Rome at his own expense, including the completion of the domed Pantheon. Though this original building burned down, in AD 126 Emperor Hadrian rebuilt the structure, retaining the façade’s original inscription of “Agrippa”, viewable today.Dio presents wonderfully imagined speeches such as those of Antony and Octavian to their troops before facing off in the Battle of Actium, and Tiberius addressing mourners at Augustus’s funeral. When Octavian ponders the type of government for his Roman Empire and his title, he designates Agrippa to argue for democracy and Maecenas for monarchy. Agrippa, arguing for democracy, claims “---they regard its advantages and disadvantages as shared by all alike; they desire that no harm should befall any of its citizens, and they offer up their prayers that all blessings should be enjoyed by the community at large.” When Agrippa argues against monarchy, he states “On the contrary, everyone takes the tyrant’s character as the standard for his own life; he then pursues whatever aims he may hope to achieve by getting the advantage over others through the tyrant’s activities and without risk to himself.”This is also a documentation of how the Roman Republic transitions, after Caesar’s assassination, two triumvirates, and civil wars, to the Roman Empire. Octavian, effectively an emperor, refuses this title, preferring to be called “first citizen.” Accustomed to their 482-year-old republic, Romans refuse to call Octavian king or anything similar. Finally, the senate confers on him the title “Augustus”, meaning more than human, a most precious and sacred object.

If you’re interested in Roman Imperial period, recommend

Very good translation! I currently use it for my university course and recommend it to all students at any level as well as all the other penguin classics books great value money!!!

No complaints

It has been a long time since I last owned a copy of this book. I am very pleased to once again have it as part of my collection.

A must for any classics student!