Book Description
This book is a slice of history measured by the lifetime of Augustus Caesar.Readers will learn the major events and figures of Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman history and also the cultures of ancient China, India and Persia. Told as a story it will delightreaders young and old.Wonderful time lines, charts and illustrations enhance the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Very readable histroy for everyone!
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons.First, the engaging style that invites the reader into the world of Octavian and many of his contemporaries such as Herod the Great, Tiberius, Cleopatra, Cicero, Livey, and many others.You come away from this book feeling as though you experienced something of the past.It is though you were there and lived through it yourself.Second, this book is a history of religions in that it focuses on the world religions of the first century all over the world.You learn about the religions of Rome and how they were evolving, as well as Judaism, Christianity, Buddism, Mithraism, Hinduism and many more besides. The story of the Roman and Greek gods are told. Third, festivals and there meaning are focused on.This is particularly true of December 25th and how the various religions treated this date. Other festivals are taught about as well, like the Jewish passover.Fourth, the calendar and how it come into being is another great feature of this book.One learns about astronomy and astrology as well as how all of the months and days of the week that are currently used in the west were named.Fifth, the founding and history of various cities are told.Finally, one can not leave this book without sensing that he has taken a trip back in time.The one negative about the book was that the author takes a religious stand that "all roads lead to god".There is very little negative treatment of the various religions.Most people and religions are cast in a very positive light.Octavian was likely a little meaner and cold hearted than he comes off here.Of course, if Octavian was telling the story himself then he may have told it like this since we are all the hero of our own story.

Wonderful
One of the best all-ages history books. :) Gorgeous illustrations, useful family trees, all told in a friendly and familiar style; not dry and academic at all.

Highly recommended!
I cannot say enough good things about this book!I just finished reading it before using it for homeschooling, and am amazed at how much I learned!If only they used history books like this in when I was in school, I may have had an interest in history.

The books covers from Octavian at age 18 (when his uncle Julius Caesar is killed), through his death.The beauty of this books is that it covers world events during the time period as well as daily life in Ancient Rome.It's wonderfully well rounded and the illustrations are a nice bonus.

I will absolutely read her other historic fiction books and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one!

Happy to see this still in print!
What a wonderful book and introduction for a young person to learn about the Romans, and the way they lived!I remember first being introduced to this book in the 9th grade, when I had a mild obsession with the Roman Empire.This book has stuck with me for a long time.It is written in an entertaining manner, and makes these people seem more real and human than some stale 3rd person account of how things were.Each historical figure is depicted as people with the same basic fears, hopes and desires as everyone else, in relation to the society in which they live.It of course being for children is toned down as far as some of the facts we know or speculate today about these people (ie I, Claudius) but it gives a great account of how an individual of the day might have lived, and it is not just about Octavian/Augustus himself, but the people around him and alive at the same time, sometimes even in another country.This was the world of that time, and was a fascinating period of history.This type of book can easily open up a historical interest for a young person for life.I myself searched 10 years ago to find a used copy of this gem, remembering it from high school over 10 years prior, and successfully found a copy in an old book shop.I was thrilled to death to read it again, even after reading several translated histories from the Roman Empire.

Not just for kids!
One of the great bonuses of parenting is that you get to introduce books to your own kids that wowed you when you were a kid yourself.Sometimes your children love the books as much as you did; sometimes they don't.But in either case, you get to revisit with old friends and see how much you and they have changed and retained over the years.

Some of my best book friends when I was a kid were the wonderful illustrated histories of Genevieve Foster, and the one I loved most was *Augustus Caesar's World.*I recently introduced it (and a few others:*Washington's World*, *Lincoln's World*, *John Smith's World*, *Columbus's World*) to my 8 year old, and he's discovering the magic in them I did so many years ago.

There are three qualities to *Augustus Caesar's World* that make it so entertaining and educating.The first is that it's incredibly well written.Foster has the gift of breathing life into historical accounts.In reading about Cicero's execution or the life of Siddhartha, for example, one experiences all the dreadful waste of the one and the liberating wonder of the other.Second, the book is wonderfully illustrated by Foster herself.The illustrations are themselves instructive:along with individual scenarios, she provides time-lines, illustrated most fetchingly, that conveniently encapsulate events and persons.Finally, Foster's histories are really world histories.In *Augustus Caesar's World,* she focuses on the events leading up to the end of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Empire (roughly, 44BCE to 14 CE).But she doesn't limit herself to Roman history; she also examines events taking place across the world during the time frame in which she's working:the druids in Gaul, Hindus in India, Confucius in China, Mayans in the Americas, and so on.She even includes intellectual history:the origins of Christianity and Buddhism, the Upanishadic culture of the Hindus, etc.Her aim is to give the reader a wide angle of vision, and she succeeds wonderfully.

I'm grateful that Foster's histories are being republished.They don't patronize kids by resorting to silly gimmicks that supposedly make learning more palatable (or at least more marketable).Instead, they make history fascinating the old fashioned way:by showing that it's a great story in its own right.They're a great discovery for my son, and a great rediscovery for me. ... Read more

Book Description
When a teenager named Octavian learned that he was the heir of Julius Caesar, the most powerful man in Rome, it seemed like a recipe for disaster. Caesar had just been assassinated, and in the chaotic world of Roman politics the inexperienced young man would seem to have no chance against men two and three times his age. But Octavian had a genius for politics. Within a year he emerged as one of three leaders of Rome. Just over a decade later he took total control. Soon afterward, the Roman people gave him a new name: Augustus Caesar. It was the name which would make him immortal. He ushered in a period of peace and prosperity, ending decades of civil conflict that had cost uncounted thousands of lives. His reign was also characterized by a flourishing of art and architecture. He was the first ruler of the Roman Empire. He was almost certainly the best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Scholarly and Objective
Having read much about the exploits of Octavianus from the standard classical and contemporary commentators, this biography by Anthony Everitt stands out as not only thorough, but so well written as to make it engaging to read, something which one cannot easily say about Suetonius or Plutarch! Everitt compiles the writings of these ancient sources, but also intersperses the biography with interesting contextual and archaeological information. In instances where sources contradict or seem far fetched, Everitt shows remarkable temperance - he often comments on what he may think have been the case, but gives you all the information so as to formulate your own opinion as well. Because of this,it is a very welcoming, accessible and highly detailed biography. Before you read anything else about Augustus, read this first!

Excellent Biography of a Roman Emperor

Anthony Everitt has written an exceptional biography of the first Roman emperor, Caesar Agustus (a.k.a.: Octavian).The hardcopy edition is about 327 pages long and is broken into 24 chapters, not counting the introduction, preface, and acknowledgements.The book is an easy read and flows like a novel.The author also included a very helpful chronology along with several battle maps.The maps, which are both clear and concise, give the reader a quick reference to the battle narratives in the text.The book also contains a detailed family tree that the reader will likely use several times.Many of the Romans had several wives.Trying to keep all the relatives and adopted children straight can be challenging.This is important as Augustus was trying to make sure his heir was a relative of the Julian clan. The reader will find this family tree helpful in figuring out who is who.

The book begins with the later years of Julius Caesar, which are also the early years of Augustus.It then proceeds through the assassination of Julius Caesar and includes Augustus' rise to power, his war against Caesar's assassins, and his eventual conflict with Mark Antony.The back half covers the years following the civil wars, the banishment of his daughter, and the massacre of three legions in Germany.

Of note is that the author is quick to point out what is known and what is surmised.The popular legend surrounding the death of Cleopatra focuses on her love for Mark Antony.In grief over Antony's death, she allegedly committed suicide with the help of a poisonous snake.The author is quick to point out the inconsistencies in this story.Although Mr. Everitt cannot give a definitive account of her demise, he does a good job of pointing out the political aspects of her death.

Another example is the banishment of Augustus' daughter, Julia.History tells the story that Augustus banished his daughter because of her infidelity.Mr. Everitt hypothesizes that there may be more to the story.Julia could have been scheming to have her sons succeed Augusts as emperor.Augustus may have used the charge of infidelity to cover up evidence that his own daughter was working against him.Mr. Everitt supports his theory with facts but he also highlights what is yet unknown.The reader is left to decide for him or herself.

The book is well researched. Mr. Everitt used ancient sources such as Appian, Tactitus, Cassius Dio, and Suetonius to name a few.The end of the book contains a breakdown of each chapter and how these sources contributed to it.Bottom line: this book is a captivating biography and an easy read.The author knows his subject matter and all events are clearly sourced.This is a book that entertains and educates at the same time.

Rebuilding an empire made of clay into marble
AUGUSTUS is a surprisingly brisk read for a biography. Written by Anthony Everitt, AUGUSTUS does take a few liberties with the facts for example Everitt speculates that Livia didn't murder her husband but that it was an assisted suicide and there are also a few other speculations (supported with solid arguments I might add)sprinkled throughout the book but it is, for the most part, a very solid look back at the life of the "First Citizen" of Rome who contructed a political system that endured after his death and the turn over of other Emperors after him as well.

At just under 370 pages it's also a surprisingly brief biography covering everything from Augustus' youth, relationship with Julius Ceasar (and the speculation that Augustus may have had an affair with his uncle to secure his uncle's affection and to get himself appointed heir to his uncle pointing out that it was unlikely but possible)to his consolidation of power after Ceasar's assassination, eventual war with Antony and ultimate domination of the Roman Empire.

Everitt creates a compelling portrait of an emperor who refashioned the Roman Empire (to paraphrase) from clay into marble. The book comes with a chronology, illustrations of various maps and a family tree that will help those unfamiliar with Roman history a way to keep track of the various players.

Excellent
Augustus Caesar was one of the most influential men in the history of western civilization. Strangely his life and achievements have recieved relatively little attention when compared to those of military conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Ghengis Khan, Napoleon, and his own great uncle Julius Caesar. The reason I say strangely is that in contrast to these great men, Augustus not only acquired power but was actually able to live long enough to rule. Despite his ruthless and violent rise to power, Augustus' rule showed a great public conscience and a genuine desire for improvement of Rome, Roman citizens, and Roman provinces. His impact on European history and politics was much stronger and lasting than any of the conquorers mentioned above.

The biography by Everitt is wonderful and very readable. The book follows the life of Augustus from chilhood in a roman province, his ruthless rise to power after the assassination of Julius Caesar, his great intellecutual achievement (establishment of the Roman principate), to finally his death after a glorious political career. Through details of personal life Everitt puts you right alongside the great leader as he goes about his daily tasks. Perhaps the greatest attribute of this work is the objectivity with which it treats its subject. Augustus was a complex figure and his personality had many conflicting facets (often a result of great intellect). At once being a loyal friend, merciful leader, social and political reformer, loving father and uncle, but also showing a side that is ruthless, violent, cold and calculating, unforgiving even to his own blood. The author presents all of these facets of Augustus personality very well and leaves the judgement up to the reader.

In all, for anyone interested in the history of Rome, or Politics and Psychology in general it is a must read.

A history that captures the narrative of an interesting life.
This is a good one-volume popular history, that attempts to capture the narrative arc of Augustus's life, without bogging down in historical detail.The author keeps things moving... for example relating modern names for Roman cities, as a way of keeping the reader centered.

I lack the time to study all historical eras as they are captured within original works of great academic merit.Rather than peruse 20 volumes of Roman history, I sometimes want a good, factual, and interesting read.This book more than satisfies on that score.

The era of life seen by Augustus surely ranks among the great arcs of history; the transition from Republic to Empire was inexorable for this very young man, and his own energy and amorality made this era his own.There are many lessons for the reader to draw, and the style here is accessible and enjoyable. ... Read more

Book Description
“The Lives of the Twelve Caesars” was written around 100 AD just after one of the most turbulent times in ancient history when Rome had been undergoing a number of Civil wars. Recorded by Suetonius who was an eye witness to the later conflicts and infighting. This unique work has been used as the basis for a number of films and television series including “Gladiator”, “Rome”, "Spartacus" and “I Claudius” ... Read more

Book Description
History sees Augustus Caesar as the first emperor of Rome, whose system of ordered government provided a firm and stable basis for the expansion and prosperity of the Roman Empire. Hailed as 'restorer of the Republic' and regarded by some as a deity in his own lifetime, Augustus was emulated by many of his successors. David Shotter reviews the evidence in order to place Augustus firmly in the context of his own times. Key topics discussed include:
* the background to Augustus Caesar's spectacular rise to power
* his political and imperial reforms
* the creation of the Respublica of Augustus
* the legacy Augustus Caesar left to his successors.

Revised throughout, the second edition of this successful book takes the most recent research in the field into account. David Shotter also includes more coverage of the social and cultural aspects of this complex character's reign together with an expanded guide to further reading. ... Read more

Book Description
This book presents seven fresh and original views of Caesar Augustus, as the authors of the papers collected here consider the image which he presented of himself, how poets and historians reacted to him, the nature of his rule, and the representation of the newly established monarch among his subjects in the provinces.The contributors are well-known historians and scholars: Zvi Yavetz (Tel Aviv), Fergus Millar (Oxford), Claude Nicolet (Paris), Emilio Gabba (Pavia),Werner Eck (Cologne), Glen Bowersock (Princeton), and Jasper Griffin (Oxford).These papers were first given at a colloquium held at Wolfson College, Oxford, to celebrate the eightieth birthday of the late Sir Ronald Syme, author of The Roman Revolution (OUP 1939) and other seminal works. A substantial amount of documentation has been added in the notes, but the main texts retain the form in which they were given as lectures, and with it a freshness and immediacy in approaching a central moment in history from a number of new angles. ... Read more

Book Description
1899. Derived from a study of coins, monuments, calendars, aeras and astronomical and astrological cycles, the whole establishing a new chronology and survey of history and religion. Contents: cycle of the eclipses; ancient year of ten months; Ludi Seculars and Olympiads; astrology of the divine year; Jovian Cycle and worship; various years of the incarnation; aeras; cycles; chronological problems and solutions; Maetho's false chronology; forgeries in stone; the Roman Messiah. ... Read more

Book Description
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (c70-c140), also known as Suetonius, was a prominent Roman historian and biographer. He is mainly remembered as the author of De Vita Caesarum (Lives of the Caesars, best known in English as The Twelve Caesars), his only extant work. The Twelve Caesars, probably written in Hadrian's time, is a collective biography of the Roman Empire's first leaders who were: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. The work tells the tale of each Caesar's life according to a set formula: the descriptions of appearance, omens, family history, quotes, and then a history are given in a consistent order for each Caesar. Suetonius regarded emperors who amassed wealth for the public purse to be "greedy", perhaps a reflection of the average Roman middle class attitudes. ... Read more

Product Description
This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1846 edition by D. Appleton & Co., New York. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very interesting
This is a strange, but interesting book. I was annoyed that there are no footnotes nor endnotes to help research the author's facts... The book seems to have a lot of information, and the main thrust appears to be a desire to prove that Augustus, in order to align himself as a deity with previous religious predictions and prophecies, adjusted official chronologies and erased 70 years or so from the historical record.
There is a lot of material here but without scholarly notes, as I mentioned, it is difficult to confirm much of what he says.
Anyway, a rather interesting book.
There seems to be much evidence that Augustus played a large role in the development of Christianity. Another, much more recent book has thoughts on this: See 'Jesus was Caesar' by Francesco Carotta. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Printed on jacket flap:
"THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE by Francis Carter Yost is a fascinating compilation of fictional stories with a ring of truth.Although their appeal is to all ages, they are told primarily to help 'the youth of the world know Thee' - Jesus Christ.In a most readable, interesting style, Mrs. Yost has depicted some of the most important experiences in His life as they might have been seen and told by His fellow men who worshipped Him in the stable, rejoiced as He healed the blind and leprous men, and marveled as He raised from the dead the daughter of Jairus and the beloved brother of Mary and Martha.
These are stories for reading aloud in family home hours or firesides, or alone in quiet contemplation.The enhancement of stories briefly mentioned in scripture becomes a thrilling and inspirational experience for all." ... Read more