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This paper looks at the words, pictures and shapes that people in the Roman provinces placed on the thousands of coins that were made by each of several hundred cities, and uses the patterns that can be found to discuss the contribution provincial coins can make to our understanding of how relationships developed between the early Roman emperors, especially Augustus, and their audiences in provincial cities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Suetonius (Aug. 72.2) records among the habits of Augustus his inclination to retreat from time to time to a place he called ‘Syracuse’ or his ‘technophuon’ (workshop). These names have been variously explained, without agreement. The paper argues that ‘Syracuse’ evokes a complex of associations beyond the obvious connection with Archimedes and his inventions. By recalling other well-known figures, such as Marcellus and Dionysius, as well as Augustus’ own experiences in Syracuse, the name of his den effectively encapsulates the courses of action available to the emperor as ruler and as private citizen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reconsiders the ancient consensus about what really happened during the battle of Actium that involved Antonius, Cleopatra and Octavian. According to the author, events during that war seem to point closer to the ancient belief that Antonius left the battle and decided to follow Cleopatra who has withdrawn, as opposed to modern theories asserting that he surrendered. He states that Antonius' position was not desperate, but his impulsive decision to follow Cleopatra sealed his fate.

The article discusses the regulation of elite travel and island exile under Roman emperor Augustus. In an effort to limit aristocratic influence in Italy, Augustus issued a decree stating that senators cannot leave Italy without his permission which limited their influence within geographical borders. He also implemented "deportatio ad insulam, " a harsh form of exile which sent undesirable individuals to remote islands in the Aegean Sea. A list of individuals and their locations of exile is also presented.

The article argues that Suetonius' reports claiming that Augustus was born in Rome at Ox Heads were misinterpreted. According to the author, the interpretation of Augustus' birth place was based on Suetonius' phrase, ad Capita Bubula. He argues that the phrase did not refer to a place but to a geometric pattern of reorganized Rome under Augustus' reign. He adds that the phrase caput bubulum does not necessarily have a literal meaning of ox head, but can be interpreted as a quasi-technical geometric concept.

The article examines the poetic fables written by Phaedrus which depict his views about Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius. The author focuses on the intersection of poetic and imperial authority in the fables. She states that these portrayals are Phaedrus' way of showing the negative sides of the emperors without calling negative attention to himself. She adds that Phaedrus' emphasis on the importance of careful interpretation is a message to readers of what the poems really mean.

Examines the literary work of Roman emperor Augustus `Res Gestae' in light of Hellenistic theories of apotheosis. Inextricable link between world conquest and apotheosis in Hellenistic literature after Alexander; Res Gestae as a complex and allusive document; Link illustrated by Vergil in a number of passages.

Focuses on the close connection between story and ritual. Story and cult during the age of Augustus of Rome; Passion story and the Eucharist during the Christian beginnings.

Presents a historico-literary analysis of the Roman poet Ovid. Contrast with Triumviral period writers; Reign of Caesar Augustus; Writings of historian Velleius Paterculus, contemporary of Ovid; Development of Ovid as a poet in Rome; Themes of Ovid's poetry in Tomoi/exile.