Before Augustus

Before Augustus is a vivid summary of the last years of the Roman Republic, weaving together the military, political, and social aspects of the transition from republic to empire. Scholar Natale Barca sets the protagonists within the complex sicietal and political system that they operated, analyzing their actions, and the epic battles that ensued.

The crisis of the Roman Republic began with the military reforms of Caius Marius in the last decades of the 2nd century BC. Following the Civil War and Sulla’s dictatorship, it developed further with the First Triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, and two further civil wars. These wars, which saw Caesar pitted against Pompey, and Octavian fighting Anthony, ended in 27 BC with the rise to power of Octavian, the adoptive son of Caesay.

Before Augustus focuses on the political and military history of this tumultous period, 60-27 BC. It provides a thorough account of significant events, and analyzes epic battles. History is never just made up of the actions of great individuals, but perhaps this is nowhere clearer than in ancient Rome where the political process depended upon personal and familial ties and relationships, bonds that were indissoluble and often in competition. Natale Barca examines the whole cast of individuals involved in the decline of the republic, setting the protagonists within the complex societal and political system that they manipulated to their own ends.

From riots in the forum, through campaigning in provinces stretching from North Africa to Britannia, to the pivotal events of the crossing of Rubicon and the assassination of Caesar, Before Augustus, offers a readable, vivid summary of the transition from republic to empire in ancient Rome.

349,00kr.