The Roman
Revolution by Ronald Syme: May 21 is our last chat and covers Chapter XII through the end.
CHAPTER XII: PRINCEPS covers the period from January 13, 27 to the settlement of 23 BCE and discusses the new powers of Octavian, now transformed into Caesar Augustus, at length. We talked about it last time but ran out of time.
CHAPTER XXIII: CRISIS IN PARTY AND STATE shows that Augustus still has some problems, with Agrippa coming to the rescue. This leads to CHAPTER XXIV: THE PARTY OF AUGUSTUS, which shows the resultant consolidation.
CHAPTER XXV: THE WORKING OF PATRONAGE discusses further change and development and avenues of advancements and favors for old and new clients. This chapter is heavily prosopographic, as are CHAPTER XXVI: THE GOVERNMENT and CHAPTER XXVII: THE CABINET.
CHAPTER XXVIII: THE SUCCESSION goes into great detail of this tricky issue.
CHAPTER XXIX: THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME, or the "NEW STATE of Augustus," is one of the more interesting ones, discussing the social and cultural programs of Augustus. Closely associated is CHAPTER XXX: THE ORGANIZATION OF OPINION.
The titles of CHAPTER XXXI: THE OPPOSITION and CHAPTER XXXII: THE DOOM OF THE NOBILIS speak for themselves.
Finally, CHAPTER XXXIII: PAX ET PRINCEPS summarizes the "New Roman State" and the uniqueness of Augustus.
