Augustus and the Palatine: The Emperor's Residence and the Myth of Simplicity

Emperor Augustus famously claimed to live in a modest house on the Palatine Hill, but his 'simplicity' was a carefully crafted political image. In this episode, we explore the archaeological and literary evidence for the Domus Augusti, the House of Livia, and the Temple of Apollo Palatinus. We discuss how Augustus used domestic architecture to project authority, the legend of the ivory door and the bay laurel, and the contrast with the sprawling Domus Aurea of Nero a century later. We also consider the role of Livia as co-architect of the imperial image, and what remains of Augustus's Palatine complex today. Featuring insights from the Roman biographer Suetonius, the Greek historian Cassius Dio, and modern excavations on the Palatine Hill. #Augustus #PalatineHill #DomusAugusti #HouseOfLivia #TempleOfApolloPalatinus #RomanArchitecture #ImperialCult #LiviaDrusilla #Suetonius #CassiusDio #RomanHistory #AncientRome #RomanEmperors #AugustanIdeology #PaxRomana #FexingoHistory #History #AncientArchitecture Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo