T. P. Wiseman Bücher

Caesar Augustus (63 BC-14 AD), who is usually thought of as the first Roman emperor, lived on the Palatine Hill, the place from which the word "palace" originates. A startling reassessment of textual and archaeological evidence, The House of Augustus demonstrates that Augustus was never an emperor in any meaningful sense of the word, that he never had a palace, and that the so-called "Casa di Augusto" excavated on the Palatine was a lavish aristocratic house destroyed by the young Caesar in order to build the temple of Apollo. Exploring the Palatine from its first occupation to the present, T.P. Wiseman proposes a reexamination of the "Augustan Age," including much of its literature. Wiseman shows how the political and ideological background of Augustus's rise to power offers a radically different interpretation of the ancient evidence about the Augustan Palatine. Taking a long historical perspective in order to better understand the topography, Wiseman considers the legendary stories of Rome's origins - in particular Romulus's foundation and inauguration of the city on the summit of the Palatine. He examines the new temple of Apollo and the piazza it overlooked, as well as the portico around it with its library used as a hall for Senate meetings, and he illustrates how Commander Caesar, who became Caesar Augustus, was the champion of the Roman people against an oppressive oligarchy corrupting the Republic. A decisive intervention in a critical debate among ancient historians and archaeologists, The House of Augustus recalibrates our views of a crucially important period and a revered public space

The book offers a fresh perspective on Gaius Valerius Catullus by situating his poetry within the cultural and historical context of the first century BC. It delves into Catullus' social background, the literary dynamics of his era, and the significance of figures like Clodia and Caelius Rufus, reframing them as pivotal historical characters. Additionally, it critiques past interpretations that have skewed understanding of Catullus' world, making this analysis crucial for students and scholars of Latin literature and Roman history.

The book offers a fresh perspective on a renowned poet known for his passionate love for an aristocratic girl and his critiques of Julius Caesar. Peter Wiseman utilizes a blend of textual, historical, and archaeological evidence to challenge traditional beliefs about Catullus' life and contributions to literature. This exploration is particularly valuable for readers with an interest in poetry and the intricacies of ancient Roman society.

As the People's champion against a corrupt and murderous oligarchy, he began transformation of the Roman republic into a quasi-monarchy and a military and fiscal system that for four centuries provided western Europe, north Africa and the Middle East with security, prosperity and relative peace.