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A review by shoba
Augustus by John Williams
4.0
An epistolary novel detailing Gaius Octavius’ rise to become Caesar Augustus and the major events of his 40 year reign.
Letter: Gaius Cilnius Maecenas to Titus Livius (13 B.C.)
We had heard the witticism that Cicero made: "We shall do the boy honor, we shall do him praise, and we shall do him in." But I think that even Octavius did not expect the Senate and Cicero to offer so blatant and contemptuous a dismissal. Poor Cicero….Despite the trouble he caused us and the harm that he intended, we were always rather fond of him. Such a foolish man, though; he acted out of enthusiasm, vanity, and conviction. We had learned early that we could not afford those luxuries; we moved, when we had to move, out of calculation, policy, and necessity.
The letters concerning the military and political maneuvers and the palace intrigues pale in comparison to the singular voice of Caesar Augustus’s daughter, Julia.
The Journal of Julia, Pandateria (A.D. 4)
It has served me well, this body, over the years—though it began its service later than it might have done. It began its service late, for it was told that it had no rights, and must by the nature of things be subservient to dictates other than its own. When I learned that the body had its rights, I had been twice married, and was the mother of three children….
Letter: Gaius Cilnius Maecenas to Titus Livius (13 B.C.)
We had heard the witticism that Cicero made: "We shall do the boy honor, we shall do him praise, and we shall do him in." But I think that even Octavius did not expect the Senate and Cicero to offer so blatant and contemptuous a dismissal. Poor Cicero….Despite the trouble he caused us and the harm that he intended, we were always rather fond of him. Such a foolish man, though; he acted out of enthusiasm, vanity, and conviction. We had learned early that we could not afford those luxuries; we moved, when we had to move, out of calculation, policy, and necessity.
The letters concerning the military and political maneuvers and the palace intrigues pale in comparison to the singular voice of Caesar Augustus’s daughter, Julia.
The Journal of Julia, Pandateria (A.D. 4)
It has served me well, this body, over the years—though it began its service later than it might have done. It began its service late, for it was told that it had no rights, and must by the nature of things be subservient to dictates other than its own. When I learned that the body had its rights, I had been twice married, and was the mother of three children….