Knowledge, Power and Censorship: The Library of Augustus

Millennia before Foucault, the Roman emperor Augustus understood the connection between power and knowledge. Inspired by the Library of Alexandria, Caesar sought to create a library worthy of the Roman people -- but it fell to his heir Augustus to complete this task after the Ides of March.
However, in his quest to build a monumental public library for Rome, the first Princeps would ensure that the censored works contained within would serve his political agenda.
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[@NathanDudani]

As good as ToldInStone, nice!

[@tribunateSPQR]

That is high praise, thank you!

[@yidavv]

for the algorithm

[@tribunateSPQR]

Much appreciated

[@dshock85]

And sadly his legacy is tarnished by his family of successors. The endless irony of the senators killing Cesear and unleashing someone far worse than they could have imagined. Obviously Octavian being only a teenage when Julius was killed probably filled him with trauma.

[@tribunateSPQR]

First rule of history is to never say "It can't get any worse". It can ALWAYS get worse

[@TobyTubeS]

@@tribunateSPQR lol

[@Insectoid_]

I can't believe I've only just come across this channel. Superb.

[@tribunateSPQR]

Wow, thank you! Glad to have you as a subscriber

[@Carelock]

Suetonius, Suetonius, and more Suetonius. Count me in!

[@CelticLifer]

Great Content!

[@CBrace527]

Great follow up to your Augustus video from last week

[@tribunateSPQR]

Thanks so much!

[@Ancient__Wisdom]

Another Excellent Video!

[@tribunateSPQR]

Thanks!

[@wytsevenema2418]

Rome

[@tribunateSPQR]

All roads lead there

[@hugo5918]

2:01 A Chomsky reference. Noice.

[@tribunateSPQR]

Glad someone noticed!

[@StanGB]

Really good stuff

[@tribunateSPQR]

Glad you think so!

[@davec1211]

Love your stuff

[@tribunateSPQR]

Thanks so much!

[@Insectoid_]

I personally think he'd be better referred to as disgustus from many of the things I've read about him. Not that he wasn't a truly gifted political mover, I think people need to recognise just how important Agrippa was to his ascension to the top.

[@tribunateSPQR]

If you like Roman history but hate Augustus - then we are the channel for you

[@kevinmcqueenie7420]

41 years is a LOOOONG time to be a dictator with Octavian's power. He used it, hoo boy did he use it. Great vid as always!

[@tribunateSPQR]

Thanks!
It’s ironic that someone who endured constant health scares would survive to such a ripe old age. Had he died earlier in his reign there is some chance the Republic may have been restored

[@mauromasterx]

@@tribunateSPQR I'd say there was a chance the republic may have been restored at the end of each succession of the first emperors, butfor one or other reasons the powers that be kept that kind of order, Claudius being a prime example

[@blue-pi2kt]

​@@tribunateSPQR Political norms and institutions are like tooth paste. Once you've squeezed it out, there ain't no going back.

[@henkstersmacro-world]

👍👍👍

[@sarahhorne2791]

Great video, super informative

[@tribunateSPQR]

Thanks!

[@kersebleptes1317]

Gee. First Emperors have a lot in common, around the world & through the ages!

[@TobyTubeS]

Few have benefitted from their own PR as much as Augustus

[@chiao_0540]

So brave new world was not the new world. It was the Past old Rome…. 😮

[@memesistole2793]

Great video, as always.

[@tribunateSPQR]

Glad you enjoyed it!