Following decades of Civil War which costs Rome hundreds of thousands of dead, the rise of a 19-year old adopted son of Julius Caesar seemed improbable. Aligned against him were the murders of Caesar and strongman Mark Anthony, all veterans of the wars, savvy politicians and holders of immense wealth and prestige. How could a sickly, inexperienced youth hope to compete let alone survive against the forces aligned against him? The strongest hand he had to play was that Julius Caesar had chosen that boy to inherit his mantle, his wealth, his name.
Yet, over the course of years, helped hugely by another youth, Marcus Agrippa, Caesar Augustus (his name before adoption was Caius Octavius) not only outlived, but out maneuvered (politically) and out lasted (militarily) all his foes. Unlike Julius, he did not show mercy to his enemies and especially early in his reign while consolidating, he was more blood thirsty than Gaius Marius or the great Sulla. But once his power was consolidated and aided by Agrippa (another fascinating individual to be reviewed shortly), he set in place a form of government which lasted for over 250 years as a viable, working institution. Those who wished to return to the Republic were disappointed, but after the Civil Wars, the peace, stability and economic growth of the Empire were welcomed by every citizen.
Unfortunately, with the death of Augustus (after decades of rule), the long line of brilliant men (from Marius to Augustus) began to decline. There would be sparks of greatness and strength in the centuries ahead, but like our Founding Fathers, the general decline in the strength of the people, the crass politics and greed of those who lived off the dole given by the government would lead to the a general weakening. Coupled with the tide of barbarian invasions of tribes who could not contribute to the Empire, the fall of the Empire could not be avoided, but that would be in centuries to come after Augustus.
Can we learn from the past? Only if we realize the errors and forces that recur again and again and work to counter them by using our ability to overcome emotions and rely on our rationality. Will we? What do you think?
Adrian Goldsworthy, a noted expert on Rome has done a fine job in this biography; it is a good book to understand the Roman world at that time.
