Augustus : the life of Rome's first emperor / Anthony Everitt.

He found Rome made of clay and left it made of marble. As Rome's first emperor, Augustus transformed the unruly Republic into the greatest empire the world had ever seen. His consolidation and expansion of Roman power two thousand years ago laid the foundations for all of Western history to follow. Yet despite Augustus's accomplishments, very few biographers have concentrated on the man himself, instead choosing to chronicle the age in which he lived. In this study of power and political genius, biographer Everitt gives an intimate account of his illustrious subject. He takes some of the household names of history--Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Antony, Cleopatra--and turns them into flesh and blood. At a time when many consider America an empire, this portrait of the greatest emperor who ever lived makes for enlightening reading.--From publisher description.