AugustusImage and Substance\nAuthor(s): Barbara Levick\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom\nImprint: Longman\nISBN-13: 9780582894211, 978-0582894211\nSynopsis\nThroughout a long and spectacularly successful political life, the Emperor Augustus (63BC-AD14) was a master of spin. Barbara Levick exposes the techniques which he used to disguise the ruthlessness of his rise to power and to enhance his successes once power was achieved.\n\nThere was, she argues, less difference than might appear between the ambitious youth who overthrew Anthony and Cleopatra and the admired Emperor of later years. However seemingly benevolent his autocracy and substantial his achievements, Augustus? overriding purpose was always to keep himself and his dynasty in power. Similar techniques were practised against surviving and fresh opponents, but with increasing skill and duplicity, and in the end the exhausted members of the political classes were content to accept their .