Octavius (Augustus)

Metadata

Title

Octavius (Augustus)

Creator

Zauli after L. Clerici

Date

1873 (circa)

Description

White marble bust of Augustus Caesar, on a white marble base. Augustus Caesar (63BC-14AD), adopted by his great uncle Julius Caesar as son and heir, became the first Roman emperor in 27 BC. Augustus was an able administrator and town planner. Arts and literature flourished during his reign, and he is quoted as saying that he found Rome a city made of bricks and left it a city made of marble.

Note: From the time he was born in 63 BCE until 44 BCE, he is generally referred to by historians as Octavius. After 44 BCE, when he became the adopted son and heir of his recently-assassinated great-uncle Julius Caesar, he is known as Octavian. Beginning in 26 BCE, he is known as Augustus, the name conferred upon him by the Roman Senate. (See also 1972.03.01.)

Extent

17.0" H

Medium

Marble

Provenance

Gift of W. Logan Fox

Collection

General Collection, Museum Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

Identifier

1966.01.01

Rights

http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html