Augustus and the Res Gestae: The Emperor's Own Account of His Reign

In this episode of Augustus Caesar: The First Emperor of Rome, Lucas and Luna explore the Res Gestae Divi Augusti — the autobiographical inscription that Augustus himself composed to record his achievements for posterity. Discover how this remarkable document, carved on bronze pillars outside his mausoleum and copied across the empire, offers a first-person account of his military conquests, building projects, and distributions to the people. Learn about its survival through a nearly complete copy from the Temple of Rome and Augustus in Ancyra (modern Ankara, Turkey), known as the Monumentum Ancyranum. Lucas explains the structure of the Res Gestae, its key claims, and its role as a tool of imperial propaganda. From the conquest of Egypt to the return of the Parthian standards, the construction of the Forum of Augustus to the staging of gladiatorial shows, this episode unpacks how Augustus shaped his own legacy. The discussion also touches on the significance of the Latin and Greek versions, and what historians can learn from the gaps and silences in the text. #ResGestae #Augustus #RomanHistory #Epigraphy #PaxRomana #Princeps #RomanEmpire #AugustanAge #Ancyra #MonumentumAncyranum #Latin #Greek #RomanInscriptions #PrimarySource #RomanAchievements #AncientRome #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo