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Portraiture of Augustus |
"Yet Augustus was the most
successful ruler known to us. He found
his world, as it seemed, on the verge of
complete collapse. He evoked order out
of chaos; got rid one after the other of
every element of opposition; established
what was practically a new form of
government without too violent a breach
with the past; breathed fresh meaning
into old names and institutions, could
stand forth as a reformer rather than an
innovator, while even those who lost
most by the change were soothed into
submission without glaring loss of
self-respect. He worked ceaselessly to
maintain the order thus established, and
nearly every part of his great empire
had reason to be grateful for increased
security, expanding prosperity, and
added amenity of life. Nor can it be
said that he reaped the credit due in
truth to ministers He had excellent
ministers and agents, with abilities in
this or that direction superior to his
own; but none who could take his place a
whole. He was the centre from which
their activities radiated : he was the
inspirer, the careful organiser, the
unwearied manipulator of details to whom
all looked, and seldom in vain, for
supported and guidance. We may add this
to a dignity never forgotten, enhanced
by a physical beauty and grace which
helped to secure reverence for his
person and office, and established a
sentiment which the unworthiness of some
of his successors could not wholly
destroy. " -- Shuckburg, Augustus Caesar
See also the section on Augustus and his city of marble at Janus Quirinus.
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items are from between 28 Aug 2002 & 20 Apr 2009.