Augustus writes his Res Gestae.

As Augustus approached the end of his life and reign, he undertook the composition of one of the most iconic political documents of antiquity—the Res Gestae Divi Augusti ("The Deeds of the Divine Augustus"). This autobiographical inscription was a carefully curated account of his accomplishments, intended to solidify his legacy and guide the perception of his rule for future generations. Written in the first person, it detailed his rise to power, military victories, public benefactions, religious restorations, and acts of mercy. Far from a neutral record, the Res Gestae was a masterwork of imperial propaganda, presenting Augustus as a selfless servant of Rome who restored the Republic and brought peace to a fractured world. Originally displayed on bronze pillars outside his mausoleum in Rome, the Res Gestae was also widely disseminated across the empire, with copies carved in both Latin and Greek in provincial cities such as Ancyra (modern Ankara, Turkey). This ensured that Augustus’s version of history reached both Roman citizens and subject peoples. Through this text, Augustus framed his authority not as autocratic domination, but as the result of the people’s will, senatorial approval, and divine favor. The Res Gestae stands today as one of the clearest windows into how Augustus wished to be remembered—not just as Rome’s first emperor, but as its savior and restorer. #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife #ResGestae #Augustus #RomanHistory #ImperialLegacy #AncientDocuments #PropagandaOfPower #JulioClaudian