History Extra podcast Augustus: life of the week
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Dec 30, 2025 Ed Watts, a historian and author of The Romans: A 2,000-Year History, delves into the life of Augustus, Rome's first emperor. He contrasts Augustus’s ruthless early persona with his later image as a state-builder. Watts explores how Augustus seized power, skillfully used propaganda against Antony and Cleopatra, and navigated the brutalities of political life. He describes Augustus's charisma, strategic family dynamics, and the monumental rebuilding of Rome, showcasing his complex legacy that shaped an empire for centuries.
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Two Sides Of One Leader
- Ed Watts distinguishes Octavian the destroyer from Augustus the builder, calling them two aspects of the same man.
- The violence Octavian used made the constructive Augustan settlement possible and longer-lasting.
Caesar's Unexpected Heir
- Julius Caesar named the relatively unknown teenager Octavian his heir, shocking Rome when the will was opened.
- Caesar likely trained Octavian early because he recognised his exceptional political talent.
Underestimation As A Political Weapon
- Rivals repeatedly underestimated Octavian and he weaponised that complacency by playing along until seizing power.
- He exploited legal technicalities and public opinion to turn Caesar's supporters against Antony.
