Providing a snapshot of the ancient Romans as they were at the height of their success, The Romans in the Age of Augustus is a fascinating history of Rome and the Roman peoples during the pivotal transition from Republic to Empire. The rule of the first Roman emperor, Augustus (63 BC-AD14), was characterized by military expansionism, social and religious reform, and achievements in literature and the arts that marked the high-point of Roman classicism. Providing a broad historical context for the period, Andrew Lintott begins with a description of the process through which a collection of villages developed into Rome, the dominant city of the Mediterranean. He goes on to explain how the structure and institutions of Roman society developed during the reign of Augustus, describing its economic base and its workings, and demonstrates how the shift from Republic to Empire affected the public and private lives of individuals.
Written in a highly accessible style, and incorporating the most recent scholarship, this book offers fascinating insights into Augustus's Rome, and serves as an ideal introduction to the subject for students with no prior knowledge.