[Born at Rome, B.C. 63. Died at Nola, in Campania, A.D. 14. Aged 76.]
The first Roman Emperor. Trained for his public career by his
great-uncle, Julius Cæsar. After the death of Cæsar (B.C. 44), he formed
with Antony and Lepidus the league known as the triumvirate. But
subsequently quarrelling with Antony, and overcoming him, he annexed
Egypt to Rome, and became sole master of the State. His reign was
tranquil, and he conciliated the people. His disposition appears to
have been cold; he lived simply, and despised pomp and pageantry.
[Suetonius mentions the handsome features of Augustus as well
preserved in his old age. He is described with eyebrows meeting and
thick, the ears small and well formed, the nose finely chiselled.
There are several busts of him taken at different periods. This Bust
is from the Statue Gallery of the Vatican. It represents him in old
age wearing a fillet and a medal bearing the effigy of his wife Livia.
No. 35A is a portrait at a younger period: it is from the Museo
Chiaramonti of the Vatican. There is a noble statue of him in the
“toga” in the Bas-relief gallery, see No. 80, Handbook of Greek
Court.]
35A. AUGUSTUS. _Roman Emperor._