Augustus and the Altar of Peace

[@trevorcallahan6106]

In my last year of university I took a seminar class on Augustus and I always considered his ability to portray himself as a benevolent friend of the Republic while simultaniously destroying it incredibly interesting.

[@thejeffinvade]

Most politically astute emperor of Rome

[@Psychol-Snooper]

Why does that picture you've painted sound so... modern? XD

[@ericwilliams1659]

Yeah, crazy that your statement could be made about politics these days.

[@harrywang9375]

@@ericwilliams1659 Democrats literally controlling the media while taking your rights away. Forcing you to get a shot, forcing you to wear a mask, banning you from saying things, banning you from owning things. Crazy

[@Sqk.]

@@BigDaddyJamsno proof of that person on the internet, and i highly doubt any sort of genetic testing could ever cerrify someone was a direct descendant of someone without an extremely detailed and extrnsive family tree (like that of Confucius)

[@coolandhip_7596]

"He brought revolution and called it tradition" is a great quote and is applicable to so many historical figures. 1:47

[@NameTaken_86]

It’s just conjecture like most historical KZbinrs.

[@QuiteWellAdjusted]

​@@NameTaken_86 He destroyed and remade the Roman state in his own image while spending his entire career appealing to the restoration of true Republicanism. This is borne out by the words of the people who were there, including the words of Augustus himself. You can read them. That is not conjecture.

[@NameTaken_86]

@@QuiteWellAdjusted ignoratio elenchi.

[@airbo793]

​@@NameTaken_86"Just conjecture like most historical KZbinrs" This KZbinr has a PhD in Roman and Greek history. What are your credentials? Kaiser of armchair historians?

[@NameTaken_86]

@@airbo793 Ad verecundiam. *yawn

[@KilledByThatTrain]

It’s amazing how TMZ hasn’t changed much over the years, a testament to journalistic integrity

[@irie1tes]

What is this in reference to 😂

[@legochickenguy4938]

It’s been said that TMZ is the only real news site left

[@irie1tes]

@@legochickenguy4938 what does this video have to do with TMz??

[@legochickenguy4938]

@@irie1tes 8:10 not sure how you missed it

[@juanc424]

I sent them a few papyri, too

[@cerberus6654]

That was one of your BEST posts yet. Explore the altar to find the man Then explore the persona the man created, and then metaphysically, launch him into eternity. SO well written Dr. G.

[@kellysouter4381]

Pne?

[@4rumani]

@@kellysouter4381 one

[@cerberus6654]

@@kellysouter4381 :)

[@NameTaken_86]

Just erroneous Freudian psychobabble to further distort history.

[@Messi-rw9ng]

I made the visit to Rome as my highschool graduation gift from my parents. I remember walking through the city to see the tomb of Augustus and down the street seeing this small museum to the Ara Pacis that nobody seemed to be going into. We decided to go into it to escape from the summer heat and man, it took my breath away. It was quiet, everything was "white" and the open windows that gave way to the city outside was a stark contrast to the cleanliness and seeming emptiness of the museum which gave me the impression of being in a bubble. The Ara Pacis was in the center and it really gave me the impression of solitude. One of my favorite places in Rome even though I originally had no knowledge of it's existence and came upon it by happenstance.

[@FreeManFreeThought]

I stumbled upon it too! just wandering the city when I was there one April a few years ago.

[@signoguns8501]

wow. what an incredible gift

[@ginzo666]

Isn't it amazing how not crowded the lesser known sites of Rome are?

[@urupanther]

Augustus, somebody who somehow understood his place in history and played his role the best he knew, leaving this world realizing everything had been just a part on a play, and himself moving on to other matters...

[@thibautlescure7183]

I almost never comment on youtube but I want to say I find this channel amazing

[@theicepickthatkilledtrotsk658]

One of my favorite Roman monuments.

[@georgemullens]

Great video, I grew up in Rome and had the pleasure to see the Ara Pacis several times. It's sublime.

[@DonariaRegia]

I read about the rediscovery of the Ara Pacis in the 1930's. Found buried in Tiber silt, still complete and standing, it was under an opera house. The solution for excavation came by way of freezing the soil under the theater with liquid nitrogen so it wouldn't collapse.

[@TetsuShima]

Octavian during his rise to power: "I shall restore to Rome the ancient moral virtues that once made it great..." *Some years later* Octavian: "IS THERE ANYONE IN ROME WHO HAS NOT SLEPT WITH MY DAUGHTER?!"

[@thejeffinvade]

Most politically astute emperor of Rome. Sadly his heirs kept dying on him.

[@apollion888]

I was 12 when I first saw "I, Claudius" and that scene is exactly where my head went. "We didn't actually sleep, Caesar".

[@QuantumHistorian]

@@apollion888 It's pretty hard to forget any scene that has Brian Blessed shouting at the top of his lungs

[@apollion888]

@@QuantumHistorian for the rest of my life, he's been "Oh, the actor who played Augustus". I love him in Henry V

[@112steinway]

"Only once Caesar."

[@NathanRae]

Best episode yet.

[@profsolitaire7223]

I would really like a video where you take a close look at all the scenes sculpted on the altar and explain who the characters are, what's going on, what the symbolims is, etc. That would be so interesting!

[@ESG1]

The TMZ part was classic. Thanks for the video!

[@danieldalessandro96]

The short yet Incredible video dedicated to Augustus makes me want to see other videos such as this dedicated to other emperors like trajan or Hadrian

[@baldwinslab]

No, just more on Augustus!

[@nemos9856]

@@baldwinslab we need at least 2 hours long video about Augustus!

[@T_Mo271]

I didn't notice until recently the the music intro is "the lick" from jazz fame. Excellent video, and I appreciate the clever additional illustrations.

[@gabrielanderson8767]

"If I have played my part well, applaud as I leave the stage." Man those are some dope final words, whether he actually said them or not

[@rioriggs3568]

I visited the Altar last year! Beautiful.

[@StanJan]

Incredible oration. Cadence, adherence to what we believe to be fact, wonderful graphics that fit perfectly with the words. Just incredible. Thank you. You should be teaching. Thank you.

[@PacdemonStudios1]

He is 🤙

[@StanJan]

@@PacdemonStudios1 Thank you, He is unique in the field. VERY Fortunate Students. VERY :)

[@westrim]

@@PacdemonStudios1 He was. The channel About page says that he left academia years ago.

[@brago_]

​@@westrim he's teaching us. ☕

[@deepakraag]

It's an AI

[@RickLowrance]

That was a really good video. I loved the history lesson; especially since it was so well told. You could do this for any emperor and I would think it was a well chosen subject.

[@mrs6968]

Thank you for filling the void left behind from the history channel

[@dj-kq4fz]

"Meet hot siblings in your area" was one of the funniest visuals yet {IMHO}. Thanks! (ETA: Patrick Bateman? Been awhile since I've seen the film)

[@P-B-G_YT]

Superb edition. I particularly enjoyed the whole TMZ Drama Alert ... Got a tip? Send Papyrus NOW. LOL

[@SplendidFellow]

Loved all the little jokes in this one, I laughed out loud, thanks for another great video!

[@chriswicker6672]

The deconstructionism surrounding Augustus is amazing: maybe he built all those temples, abided the Roman republican institutions, exiled his friends once they violated dictat, *served as a priest of mars,* etc., because he actually believed in the Roman religion.

[@kingofthings7929]

Given what we know of Augustus’s personality and actions, him using religion and virtue as tools to maintain power is more in line with his nature. But your point is always worth keeping in mind and may have even been a factor for Augustus. We’ll never know for certain.

[@daverockwell1996]

If his last words were reported accurately (perhaps a big if) they seem to imply that he fully understood how to manipulate conventional morality for political gain. He played his part incredibly well, actually.

[@icedragon1000]

it served his purpose, to use traditional morality, because it brings stability and order. What dictator wants chaos and conflict. NONE.

[@anna-lisagirling7424]

Brilliantly delivered , concise and educational in a comfortable amount of time. A "Triumph" in KZbin composition! I will remember this one for a very long time. Thank you.

[@tirockable]

Thanks for sharing this excellent video! Can't wait to visit the Ara Pacis at my next visit to Rome.

[@skym01]

Ooof those opening lines were like the start of a great epic novel. Lovely stuff

[@michaelcollins966]

This is one of your best videos. Excellently written.

[@marcusmoonstein242]

I loved how you combined the actual buildings with their historical significance. There may be a goldmine of content in this idea. There are so many old buildings from the brothels of Pompeii to the sewers of Rome just waiting to be put in their historical context.

[@patrickdoak7813]

It's quite an impressive thing to see in person.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Patricius Batonius... That some new level of subtlety. Excellent video, as usual.

[@TetsuShima]

It is truly ironic how Augustus's life became more miserable the more years he spent in power and the more powerful he became, as he began to suffer tragedies one after another: His nephew Marcellus and his grandsons Gaius and Lucius died young, his daughter Julia became a nymphomaniac and his other grandson Postumus a troublemaker whom he had to exile, was forced to make his obnoxious stepson Tiberius heir to the Empire, the Teutoborg disaster ruined his plan to conquer all Germany, etc. In fact, the 1976 series "I, Claudius" did a magnificent job depicting Augustus' fall from grace. In addition, the first episode of 1968 miniseries "The Caesars" opens by showing a depressed and tired of living Augustus who spends his last days of life begging outside the Imperial Temple to pass the time.

[@arturovaldes546]

Yes he used to dress as a bigger once a year. A great way to help become humble. Too bad many CEO , millionaires and politicians don't try it. A great way to relate to the poor is to feel the poverty first hand.

[@danesovic7585]

On top of that, he was sickly during his whole life, being constantly in pain. The fact he achieved so much despite so many setbacks is a great testament to his will.

[@frankie137137]

Excellent video, Garrett. More on Augustus please!

[@celedoniojimenez-ww1tb]

Das war eine herrliche Vorstellung, gute Aussprechung, keine derbe Wörter, ebene Stimme, anziehende Weise, eine nette Beschreibung. Herrlich.

[@stephenlight647]

Stellar video. It’s a great gift to have you educating thousands instead of being hidden away in some Academy! Thank you again!

[@oliversmith9200]

Good show! I First saw pics of the Altar of Peace in art history class at The University of Oklahoma, USA. Professor Susan Caldwell was the excellent instructor. Hers was an art history, sociology, and political science class, all rolled into one life impressing student experience.

[@paoloviti6156]

Very interesting video especially around the Ara Pacis that was completely painted. Augustus was very smart and it must be said that one of the keys of his long reign was that he was surrounded by by people that was loyal to him, in particular Agrippa, a very capable general, constructor, astute politician and perhaps a loyal friend...

[@harouttorkomian5897]

You absolutely nailed this video. Hands down, ofcourse, in my opinion, your best post yet. The ending had me covered in goosebumps...

[@uncleeric3317]

This was great. More like this, pretty please.

[@stein1919]

are the babies on Pax's lap meant to evoke Romulus and Remus representing Rome at peace?

[@rdallas81]

Yes.

[@SobekLOTFC]

Keep up the great work, Garrett 👏

[@marcovidaurre1995]

That was a great one. Thanks!

[@jonnymmac]

I drink, And Toldinstone knows things.

[@bill9989]

I visited the Ara Pacis on Tuesday (May 16). I could not get tickets online (the site is ridiculously bad) so i tried showing up. You can buy tickets at the musuem BUT cash only. Luckily, i had just enough. It was around 12 Euros. Well worth the price. Fabulous experience. The Mausoleum is the next lot over but it isn't accessible due to extensive restoration work.

[@Jcecil17]

Wow vary good video.

[@gabrielpapasideropavan]

This video is a masterpiece! Really cool stuff!

[@fanroche8573]

I recommend the Image of Augustus Susan Walker; Andrew Burnett from the 1981 exhibition at the British Museum. I first tried ti see the Ara Pacis in 1984 and it was surrounded by fencing, After many years returning I will never forget when the new glass structure was finished and it is a go too each trip, I still don't know why it was moved unless just to be next to the Mausoleum

[@schedelworld]

That was absolutely fantastic. Excellent video!

[@Angelfeather100]

Really great post, Garrett! Such an astute man Octavianus Augustus, found his equal in his wife, Livia, she was the "neck" who was turning "the head", her husband, in any direction she wanted. I would like so much to watch a post on her...

[@TetsuShima]

Courier: "I was in the 19th Legion with Varus in Germania, Caesar..." Augustus: "Was? Have you been transferred?" *Top 10 moments before Absolute Rage*

[@525Lines]

11:20 A mosaic that looks like a tapestry. I love it.

[@VascovanZeller]

I rarely comment on videos but I just want to say that this was deliciously written. The last few sentences reminded me of a gymnast sticking a perfect point landing.

[@mattg56]

Dear Augustus. The father of Europe, in my opinion. Fabulous video.

[@stephenlight647]

😂 Those ads around the TMZ spoof are EPIC!!!

[@josecanales2978]

“ the man was dead, but the image lived on “

[@feffe4036]

Incredibly fascinating. Imagine being on site as it happend.

[@christianlogue9773]

such amazing content, the tmz slide had my gf and i rolling on the floor

[@simonbastrup486]

Beautiful and most poetic video you've made

[@timhertens8502]

I literally had a seminar about this exact thing in University today, thanks will use this video to learn

[@MBP1918]

Nice

[@LauraS1]

Octavian kind of reminds me of President Snow in the Hunger Games series. He was a consummate survivor, slick, intelligent, and VERY canny about his optics, skilled at hiding the more unpleasant facts about himself, a master manipulator, and was generally rather slimy under the facade of wholesomeness.

[@configuremakeinstall]

“I have to go return some scrolls.” -Patricius Batonius-

[@goodaccountname2018]

very nice, always a pleasure to see a toldinstone upload.

[@mikeFolco]

Always Love your videos.

[@RinoaL]

Wow those are some memorable final words.

[@Pedro-ov2mn]

muito bom o seu conteudo, estou sempre por aqui. abraços!

[@computerismo]

Everything about this video is absolutely sublime

[@panakoz13]

Beautiful video. Keep it up. I love the longer vids!!

[@t.robinson4774]

One of your best pieces recently- thanks!

[@HaHawk]

This is one of your best videos yet! Amazing information, pacing, and presentation. Thank you!!

[@rockutron9000]

Ok, the nod to American Psycho was a nice touch 🤣

[@Simone_Grossi]

This is amazing

[@DOLRED]

I had to laugh: That business card was quite good !!! 👍

[@mannyespinola9228]

Thank you for this video

[@nicolasclermont893]

Gods this channel is good

[@Kavai19]

you posted this in almost uncanny timing the day after I while in rome, purchased myself a silver coin of Augustus ! ( an interest originally sparked by you ) loved this video. Thanks for the content

[@user-rl3iv2jk9q]

Thank you for your thoughtful presentation on Agustus , I awatched all of it while cooking -sp -sp - spa-ghetti with a basil-tomsto Romano chees sauce , here in beautiful Indiana .

[@SkyeAten]

Okay, um, this was a masterpiece.... Wow.

[@damionkeeling3103]

The procession of figures also includes a couple of non-Roman child hostages kidnapped from their families to ensure cooperation with Rome. They wear non-Roman clothes, have long hair and torcs about their necks. They could be Celtic, Rhaetian or Illyrian princes. Augustus had defeated many tribes in the Alpine regions just a few years earlier.

[@eternalerror1]

Another spectacular video

[@louisfreudenburg]

Big fan of your book. Listened to it twice already. I would love to hear more about how investigations into crimes in Rome went down. What kind of evidence was seen as proof in court? Were there any famous detectives?

[@timtrial3971]

Cleopatra was a Greek woman

[@stephenlight647]

Saagar Enjeti mentioned during a Breaking Points segment of the execrable Netflix series Cleopatra that she was probably most Persian!! 😂 I spit out my coffee while driving!!

[@Faustobellissimo]

It's so wierd for us Italians to hear "Ara Pakis" like you did... LOL

[@UsernameNULL755]

What a great video

[@v.g.r.l.4072]

This scholar is great.

[@AI-hx3fx]

Now I wish we had a giant sundial monument on a plaza aside from oculi to mark significant days. It would be cool.

[@benjaminhamel5280]

love the longer format!

[@johnemery6944]

This was super well written thank you

[@KiloBravo69]

Always a pleasure to to see one of your excellent videos, also a very well placed allusion to the movie American Psycho (Romani Insani.) 🤣

[@theolewell7535]

Thank you for your work. :)

[@TetsuShima]

8:37 Speaking of the Battle of Actium, I recently found a cringe-worthy German docu-series called "Women Who Made History", in which, among other famous women, the story of Cleopatra is told. In the episode dedicated to the Egyptian queen, Antony's troops defeat Octavian in Actium thanks to a strategy devised by Cleopatra, being Agrippa's supposed victory just something that the First Emperor made up in order to avoid his reputation being damaged. There is not a single piece of evidence that states Augustus' victory in said Battle was just a fabrication, and I remind you that we are talking about a documentary whose purpose is to "inform"

[@arditl89]

On march 44 bc Octavian was not studying un Greece but he was studying in Apolonia in Illyria (modern day near Fier Albania).

[@wolfgangkranek376]

"Oh my God, it even has a watermark!" I saw what you did there! 🤣

[@izHobo]

wake up babe new told in stone drop

[@pablue514]

Easily one of the coldest last words in history 🥶🥶

[@solokalnesaltam3015]

I love the content of this channel I also love the little jokes 8:10 "Meet hot siblings" LOL

[@Jojothegodofrandom]

You're awesome bro

[@malkomalkavian]

You're a good writer, Lad :)

[@stanleythermos7022]

We had a discussion on this a few month sago: Why Augustus claimed Capricorn as his birth sign when his birthday was Sept 23. I think he may have born under Capricorn, but scheduled the public celebration of his birth on the autumnal Equinox when the weather would be nicer.

[@psammiad]

There were also rooms about the nature of this "favouritism" between Octavian and his uncle.