| Actium and Augustus: The Politics and Emotions of Civil War Contributor(s): Gurval, Robert Alan (Author) |
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ISBN: 0472084895 ISBN-13: 9780472084890 Publisher: University of Michigan Press OUR PRICE: $36.58 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: May 1998 Annotation: On 2 September 31 B.C.E., the heir of Julius Caesar defeated the forces of Antony and Cleopatra in a naval engagement at Actium. Despite the varied judgments this battle received in antiquity, common opinion held that Actium marked the start of a new era, a turning point in Roman history and, indeed, in Western civilization. "Actium and Augustus" marks a turning point as well. Robert Alan Gurval's unusual approach is to examine contemporary views of the battle and its immediate political and social consequences. He starts with a consideration of the official celebration and public commemoration of the Actian victory and then moves on to other questions. What were the "Actian" monuments that Octavian erected on the battle site and later in Rome? What role did the Actian victory play in the political formation of the Principate and its public ideology? What was the response of contemporary poetry? Throughout, this volume concentrates on contemporary views of Actium and its results. Written to include the general reader, "Actium and Augustus" presents a thoughtful examination of a complex period. All Greek and Latin quotations are translated, and extensive illustrations present graphic evidence about the issues Romans faced. Robert Alan Gurval is Associate Professor of Classics, University of California, Los Angeles, and has been a recipient of the Rome Prize awarded by the American Academy in Rome. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Ancient - Rome - Social Science | Archaeology - Literary Criticism | European - General |
| Dewey: 937 |
| LCCN: 95-1844 |
| Physical Information: 0.87" H x 6.2" W x 9.23" (1.35 lbs) 362 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) - Cultural Region - Italy - Ethnic Orientation - Italian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: On 2 September 31 B.C.E., the heir of Julius Caesar defeated the forces of Antony and Cleopatra in a naval engagement at Actium. Despite the varied judgments this battle received in antiquity, common opinion held that Actium marked the start of a new era, a turning point in Roman history and, indeed, in Western civilization. Actium and Augustus marks a turning point as well. Robert Alan Gurval's unusual approach is to examine contemporary views of the battle and its immediate political and social consequences. He starts with a consideration of the official celebration and public commemoration of the Actian victory and then moves on to other questions. What were the Actian monuments that Octavian erected on the battle site and later in Rome? What role did the Actian victory play in the political formation of the Principate and its public ideology? What was the response of contemporary poetry? Throughout, this volume concentrates on contemporary views of Actium and its results. Written to include the general reader, Actium and Augustus presents a thoughtful examination of a complex period. All Greek and Latin quotations are translated, and extensive illustrations present graphic evidence about the issues Romans faced. Robert Alan Gurval is Associate Professor of Classics, University of California, Los Angeles, and has been a recipient of the Rome Prize awarded by the American Academy in Rome. |