Summary of Barry Strauss's Ten Caesars

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

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#1 Augustus was an icon and a mystery. He ended a century of revolution and brought down the Roman Republic, and replaced it with the empire of which he was the first emperor. He found the perfect number two: a partner to serve as his general and administrator without threatening his power.

#2 Octavian was born in 63 BC. His father, Gaius Octavius, came from a family of strivers from a small town south of Rome. He was wealthy and politically ambitious, but he lacked the noble heritage that most Romans, rich or poor, expected in their leaders.

#3 Octavian, the young man who would become Caesar’s successor, was promoted by Caesar. He was not a born soldier, but he was tenacious, cunning, and brave. He had an iron will.

#4 When Caesar died in 44 BC, his plan was to start a three-year war of conquest in the East. He gave Octavian a big role by naming him his Master of the Horse, or second in command. However, the Ides of March changed everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669379379

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Insights on Barry S. Strauss's Ten Caesars

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Augustus was an icon and a mystery. He ended a century of revolution and brought down the Roman Republic, and replaced it with the empire of which he was the first emperor. He found the perfect number two: a partner to serve as his general and administrator without threatening his power.

#2

Octavian was born in 63 BC. His father, Gaius Octavius, came from a family of strivers from a small town south of Rome. He was wealthy and politically ambitious, but he lacked the noble heritage that most Romans, rich or poor, expected in their leaders.

#3

Octavian, the young man who would become Caesar’s successor, was promoted by Caesar. He was not a born soldier, but he was tenacious, cunning, and brave. He had an iron will.

#4

When Caesar died in 44 BC, his plan was to start a three-year war of conquest in the East. He gave Octavian a big role by naming him his Master of the Horse, or second in command. However, the Ides of March changed everything.

#5

Octavian was ambitious, but not impetuous. He was audacious but not wild. He was a man who knew how to tempt people, starting with his stepfather’s neighbor in his country villa on the Bay of Naples.

#6

In 43 BC, the Senate turned to Octavian and his legions to support Antony, who was fighting against Cicero. The two sides clashed in two battles in northern Italy. The Senate’s armies were victorious, and they forced Antony to retreat.

#7

In 43 BC, Octavian went to the Roman Senate and demanded that they make him consul, the highest office in the state. The senators reluctantly agreed, and then reneged on their promise. Octavian then had a law passed that set up a special court that would execute those who had killed Caesar.

#8

Octavian, at age twenty-four, had achieved great things. His ambition was boundless, his intelligence was keen, his judgment was sure, and his work ethic was limitless. He felt emotion, above all rage at his adoptive father’s murder, but he mastered the art of turning pain into strategy.

#9

The Battle of Philippi was a huge victory for Octavian and Antony, but they still had to bring the Roman world under their control. They divided the empire, with Antony taking the East and making his base in Athens, while Octavian ruled the West from Rome.

#10

Cleopatra was an Egyptian queen who was known for her charisma. She had access to Egypt’s wealth, and she created a mystique in the bedroom. Antony had Caesar’s name, but Cleopatra had Caesar’s mistress. In 41 BC, Antony married Octavia, Octavian’s sister.