Caesar Augustus: Adrian Goldsworthy on the First Emperor of Rome

He was at various times in his life known as Gaius Octavius Thurinus; Gaius Julius Caesar; and Caesar Augustus. He called himself Princeps, the first man in Rome; the Roman Senate would eventually call him pater patriae, the father of his country. Heir to his great-uncle Julius Caesar, this 19 year old was dropped into the tumult of Roman political violence, and emerged from it the sole and undisputed victor after decades of civil war. He murdered hundreds, and then became the founder of a new Roman system that brought peace and prosperity to Rome’s citizens and inhabitants. He was tyrannical and giving, cruel and clever, manipulative and noble. And he has claim to be one of the most successful politicians to ever lead a nation or a kingdom, who created a system which lasted for hundreds of years after his death.

With me to discuss Caesar Augustus is Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Augustus: First Emperor of Rome, now being reissued in its second edition. The annoyingly prolific author of a shelf of books, both of ancient history and historical fiction, Adrian Goldsworthy has been described as the OG scholar of the Roman Army and the Mr Darcy of Ancient History. Since his next book comes out in May, this promises to be the first of at least two conversations with him in 2026–and this is his sixth appearance on the podcast.

Chapters

1. Introduction: Caesar Augustus (0:00)
2. The Standard Received View: Syme's Roman Revolution (1:33)
3. The Importance of Names: Octavian vs Caesar (13:27)
4. Why Not Call Him Emperor? (22:56)
5. Why Did Julius Caesar Pick This Kid? (27:06)
6. Augustus's Talented Circle: Agrippa, Maecenas, and Livia (36:20)
7. Augustus's Travels and Provincial Administration (47:59)
8. Marriage Laws and Religious Reform (57:34)
9. The Aeneid: Propaganda or Great Literature? (64:08)
10. The Last 16 Years and Augustus's Legacy (71:52)