Augustus, Williams - B

                                               This novel was the National Book Award Winner in 1974.  I've been on and off about Rome, its history and extraordinary accomplishments over the years. My early interest stemmed from four years of Latin in high school.  I believe Gibson's 'Decline and Fall' is one of the greatest books ever written. That a political entity could endure (in theory and in two different capitals) from it's mythic founding in the 8th century B.C. to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 has always fascinated me. Somewhere along the way though, the endless and barbaric infighting among consuls, senators, triumvirates, generals, sons, adopted sons etc. turned me away. The approach Williams takes in this book is one I've not seen before, although I am certainly aware of the novels by Robert Graves. It is Augustus's story told through letters from and to many of his contemporaries, friends and enemies. Some of the characters depicted are real and many fictitious. I don't know enough about the era to know how much of the history is accurate. The book takes us from Augustus' adoption by Julius Caesar, his return to Italy to begin his revenge against Caesar's assassins and victory over Brutus and Cassius at Phillipi. The approach  provides a feel for the history and the people and thoughts behind it all. After defeating Marc Antony and Cleopatra at Actium (which I did not realize was a naval battle), Augustus returned to Rome as ruler of the known world at the age of 33. The novel then turns to domestic affairs, where women were to be bartered for like beads in a bazaar.  To preserve his dynasty, Octavius Augustus marries his beloved daughter Julia to Marcellus, Marcus Agrippa and Claudius, all before she is thirty.  Personal lives among the elite were part of the political process, and because of her infidelities and liaisons with intriguers, Julia is banished for life. In his dying days, Augustus reflects upon the most important aspect of his rule - no Roman had fought another within the confines of the Empire in forty years.  Books do not generally win awards without deserving them and this is no exception. Thanks to Greg and Karen Weiss.