In this Book

summary
Caesar Augustus promoted a modest image of himself as the first among equals (princeps), a characterization that was as popular with the ancient Romans as it is with many scholars today. Paul Rehak argues against this impression of humility and suggests that, like the monarchs of the Hellenistic age, Augustus sought immortality—an eternal glory gained through deliberate planning for his niche in history while flexing his existing power. Imperium and Cosmos focuses on Augustus’s Mausoleum and Ustrinum (site of his cremation), the Horologium-Solarium (a colossal sundial), and the Ara Pacis (Altar to Augustan Peace), all of which transformed the northern Campus Martius into a tribute to his major achievements in life and a vast memorial for his deification after death.

Rehak closely examines the artistic imagery on these monuments, providing numerous illustrations, tables, and charts. In an analysis firmly contextualized by a thorough discussion of the earlier models and motifs that inspired these Augustan monuments, Rehak shows how the princeps used these on such an unprecedented scale as to truly elevate himself above the common citizen.       

Table of Contents

restricted access Download Full Book
  1. Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Title Page, Copyright, Dedication
  2. pp. iii-v
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Contents
  2. p. vii
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Illustrations
  2. pp. ix-x
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Preface
  2. pp. xi-xv
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Chronology
  2. pp. xvii-xxiv
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Genealogical Charts
  2. pp. xxvi-xxvii
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 1.Brick into Marble Metaphor and Reality
  2. pp. 3-8
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 2.Field of Dreams The Campus Martius
  2. pp. 9-30
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 3.Last Things First Ustrinum and Mausoleum
  2. pp. 31-61
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 4.Visualizing the Invisible The Horologium-Solarium
  2. pp. 62-95
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 5.Gateway to History The Ara Pacis Augustae
  2. pp. 96-137
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 6.Imperium and Cosmos
  2. pp. 138-146
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Works Cited
  2. pp. 149-193
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Index of Ancient Sources
  2. pp. 195-202
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. General Index
  2. pp. 203-222
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
Back To Top

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.