Augustus and the Sibylline Books: Prophecy and Power

In this episode of Augustus Caesar: The First Emperor of Rome, Lucas and Luna explore how Augustus used the ancient Sibylline Books to legitimize his rule and shape Roman religion. They discuss the legendary story of the Cumaean Sibyl selling the books to Tarquinius Priscus, the role of the quindecimviri sacris faciundis in consulting them, and how Augustus moved the books from the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus to the Temple of Apollo Palatinus. The episode also covers Augustus's own Sibylline oracle at Tibur, the destruction of the books in 83 BCE, and the controversial collection of new prophecies that followed. Along the way, they touch on Virgil's Fourth Eclogue and its messianic overtones. A light donation segment ties the value of history to listener support. #AugustusCaesar #SibyllineBooks #CumaeanSibyl #RomanReligion #quindecimviri #TempleOfApolloPalatinus #TarquiniusPriscus #Virgil #FourthEclogue #Tibur #PaxRomana #RomanHistory #Prophecy #Power #FexingoHistory #History #AncientRome #Emperor Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo