Augustus: RES GESTAE DIVI AVGVSTI

Rerum gestarum divi Augusti, quibus orbem terrarum imperio populi Romani subiecit, et impensarum quas in rem publicam populumque Romanum fecit, incisarum in duabus aheneis pilis, quae sunt Romae positae, exemplar subiectum.

The achievements of the deified Augustus, by which he subjected the orb of lands to the imperium of the Roman people, and the expenditures which he made for the Republic and the Roman people, inscribed on two bronze pillars which are set up at Rome, the exemplar set forth below.

[1] Annos undeviginti natus exercitum privato consilio et privata impensa comparavi, per quem rem publicam a dominatione factionis oppressam in libertatem vindicavi. [Ob quae] senatus decretis honorificis in ordinem suum me adlegit, C. Pansa et A. Hirtio consulibus, consularem locum sententiae dicendae tribuens, et imperium mihi dedit. Res publica ne quid detrimenti caperet, me propraetore simul cum consulibus providere iussit.

[1] At the age of nineteen I raised an army by private counsel and at private expense, by which I vindicated the commonwealth, oppressed by the domination of a faction, into liberty. [For which] by honorable decrees the senate adlected me into its order, in the consulship of C. Pansa and A. Hirtius, granting a consular place for the giving of an opinion to me, and it gave me imperium. Lest the commonwealth take any detriment, it ordered me, as propraetor, to provide together with the consuls.

Populus autem eodem anno me consulem, cum cos. uterque bello cecidisset, et triumvirum rei publicae constituendae creavit.

The People, moreover, in the same year created me consul, when both consuls had fallen in war, and triumvir for constituting the Republic.

[2] Qui parentem meum trucidaverunt, eos in exilium expuli iudiciis legitimis ultus eorum facinus, et postea bellum inferentis rei publicae vici bis acie.

[2] Those who butchered my parent, I expelled into exile by legitimate judgments, having avenged their crime, and afterwards, those bringing war against the republic, I defeated twice in pitched battle.

[3] Bella terra et mari civilia externaque toto in orbe terrarum saepe gessi, victorque omnibus veniam petentibus civibus peperci. Externas gentes, quibus tuto ignosci potuit, conservare quam excidere malui. Millia civium Romanorum sub sacramento meo fuerunt circiter quingenta.

[3] Civil and external wars on land and sea I waged often throughout the whole world, and as victor I spared all citizens who sought pardon. External peoples, to whom it was possible safely to grant forgiveness, I preferred to conserve rather than to extirpate. About 500,000 Roman citizens were under oath to me.

Ex quibus deduxi in colonias aut remisi in municipia sua stipendis emeritis millia aliquanto plura quam trecenta, et iis omnibus agros adsignavi aut pecuniam pro praemiis militiae dedi. Naves cepi sescentas praeter eas, si quae minores quam triremes fuerunt.

Of whom I led out into colonies or sent back to their own municipia, with their stipends earned, somewhat more than 300,000; and to all of them I assigned lands or gave money as rewards for military service. I captured 600 ships, besides those which were smaller than triremes.

[4] Bis ovans triumphavi, tris egi curulis triumphos et appellatus sum viciens et semel imperator. Cum autem pluris triumphos mihi senatus decrevisset, iis supersedi. Laurum de fascibus deposui in Capitolio, votis quae quoque bello nuncupaveram solutis.

[4] Twice I celebrated an ovation, three curule triumphs I celebrated, and I was hailed imperator twenty-one times. However, although the senate had decreed more triumphs for me, those I declined. I laid down the laurel from the fasces on the Capitol, with the vows also which I had publicly vowed in each war discharged.

Ob res a me aut per legatos meos auspicis meis terra marique prospere gestas quinquagiens et quinquiens decrevit senatus supplicandum esse dis immortalibus. Dies autem, per quos ex senatus consulto supplicatum est, fuere DCCCLXXXX. In triumphis meis ducti sunt ante currum meum reges aut regum liberi novem.

On account of affairs by me or through my legates, under my auspices, prosperously accomplished on land and sea, the senate decreed fifty-five times that supplication be made to the immortal gods. The days, moreover, during which, by decree of the senate, thanksgiving was offered, were 890. In my triumphs there were led before my chariot nine kings or children of kings.

Consul fueram terdeciens, cum scribebam haec, et agebam septimum et tricensimum tribuniciae potestatis.

I had been consul 13 times when I wrote these things, and I was holding the 37th tribunician power.

[5] Dictaturam et apsenti et praesenti mihi delatam et a populo et a senatu, M. Marcello et L. Arruntio consulibus non accepi. Non recusavi in summa frumenti penuria curationem annonae, quam ita administravi, ut intra paucos dies metu et periclo praesenti populum universum liberarem impensa et cura mea. Consulatum quoque tum annuum et perpetuum mihi delatum non recepi.

[5] The dictatorship, offered to me both in my absence and in my presence, and by both the people and the senate, in the consulship of M. Marcellus and L. Arruntius, I did not accept. I did not refuse, in the height of a grain scarcity, the curation of the annona, which I administered in such a way that within a few days I freed the whole people from fear and present peril by my expenditure and care. The consulship also then—both for a year and perpetual—when it was offered to me, I did not accept.

[6] Consulibus M. Vinicio et Q. Lucretio et postea P. Lentulo et Cn. Lentulo et tertium Paullo Fabio Maximo et Q. Tuberone senatu populoque Romano consentientibus ut curator legum et morum summa potestate solus crearer, nullum magistratum contra morem maiorum delatum recepi. Quae tum per me geri senatus voluit, per tribuniciam potestatem perfeci, cuius potestatis conlegam et ipse ultro quinquiens a senatu depoposci et accepi.

[6] In the consulships of M. Vinicius and Q. Lucretius, and afterwards of P. Lentulus and Cn. Lentulus, and for the third time of Paullus Fabius Maximus and Q. Tubero, with the senate and the Roman people consenting that I be created sole curator of laws and morals with the highest power, I accepted no magistracy offered contrary to the custom of the ancestors. The things which the senate then wished to be conducted through me, I accomplished through tribunician power, in which power a colleague both I myself, unbidden, five times demanded from the senate and received.

[7] Triumvirum rei publicae constituendae fui per continuos annos decem. Princeps senatus fui usque ad eum diem quo scripseram haec per annos quadraginta. Pontifex maximus, augur, XV virum sacris faciundis, VII virum epulonum, frater arvalis, sodalis Titius, fetialis fui.

[7] I was a triumvir for reconstituting the republic for a continuous 10 years. I was princeps of the senate up to the day on which I wrote these things, for 40 years. I was pontifex maximus, augur, one of the 15 men for the performance of sacred rites, one of the 7 men of the epulones, an Arval brother, a Titian sodalist, a fetial.

[8] Patriciorum numerum auxi consul quintum iussu populi et senatus. Senatum ter legi, et in consulatu sexto censum populi conlega M. Agrippa egi. Lustrum post annum alterum et quadragensimum feci, quo lustro civium Romanorum censa sunt capita quadragiens centum millia et sexaginta tria millia.

[8] I increased the number of patricians, as consul for the fifth time, by order of the people and the senate. I revised the senate three times, and in my sixth consulship I conducted the census of the people with my colleague M. Agrippa. I performed the lustrum after 42 years, in which lustrum the heads of Roman citizens censused were 4,063,000.

Tum iterum consulari cum imperio lustrum solus feci C. Censonno et C. Asinio cos., quo lustro censa sunt civium Romanorum capita quadragiens centum millia et ducenta triginta tria millia. Et tertium consulari cum imperio lustrum conlega Tib. Caesare filio meo feci Sex.

Then again I alone conducted a lustrum with consular imperium, when Gaius Censonius and Gaius Asinius were consuls, by which lustrum the heads of Roman citizens were registered as 4,233,000. And a third lustrum with consular imperium I performed with my colleague Tiberius Caesar, my son, in the consulship of Sex.

Pompeio et Sex. Appuleio cos., quo lustro censa sunt civium Romanorum capitum quadragiens centum millia et nongenta triginta et septem millia. Legibus novis me auctore latis multa exempla maiorum exolescentia iam ex nostro saeculo reduxi et ipse multarum rerum exempla imitanda posteris tradidi.

Under the consulship of Pompeius and Sextus Appuleius, in which lustrum were counted the heads of Roman citizens to the number of 4,937,000. By new laws, enacted with me as author, many examples of the ancestors already fading from our age I brought back, and I myself examples of many things to be imitated I handed down to posterity.

[9] Vota pro valetudine mea suscipi per consules et sacerdotes quinto quoque anno senatus decrevit. Ex iis votis saepe fecerunt vivo me ludos aliquotiens sacerdotum quattuor amplissima collegia, aliquotiens consules. Privatim etiam et municipatim universi cives unanimiter continenter apud omnia pulvinaria pro valetudine mea supplicaverunt.

[9] The senate decreed that vows for my health be undertaken by the consuls and priests every 5th year. From these vows, while I was alive, they often held games—several times the four most ample colleges of priests, several times the consuls. Privately also and by municipalities, all the citizens unanimously and continually supplicated at all the pulvinars for my health.

[10] Nomen meum senatus consulto inclusum est in saliare carmen, et sacrosanctus in perpetum ut essem et, quoad viverem, tribunicia potestas mihi esset, per legem sanctum est. Pontifex maximus ne fierem in vivi conlegae mei locum, populo id sacerdotium deferente mihi quod pater meus habuerat, recusavi. Quod sacerdotium aliquod post annos, eo mortuo qui civilis motus occasione occupaverat, cuncta ex Italia ad comitia mea confluente multitudine, quanta Romae nunquam fertur ante id tempus fuisse, recepi, P. Sulpicio C. Valgio consulibus.

[10] My name, by decree of the senate, was inserted into the Salian hymn, and it was ordained by law that I should be sacrosanct in perpetuity and that, so long as I lived, the tribunician power should be mine. I refused to become pontifex maximus in the place of my living colleague, though the people were offering to me that priesthood which my father had held. That priesthood, however, some years later—when he who had seized it on the occasion of a civil commotion had died—with a multitude from all Italy flocking together to my comitia (election), such as is said never before that time to have been in Rome, I accepted, in the consulship of Publius Sulpicius and Gaius Valgius.

[11] Aram Fortunae Reducis ante aedes Honoris et Virtutis ad portam Capenam pro reditu meo senatus consacravit, in qua pontifices et virgines Vestales anniversarium sacrificium facere iussit eo die quo, consulibus Q. Lucretio et M. Vinicio, in urbem ex Syria redieram, et diem Augustalia ex cognomine nostro appellavit.

[11] The senate consecrated an altar of Fortuna Redux before the temples of Honor and Virtue at the Capena Gate for my return, and ordered the pontiffs and the Vestal virgins to perform an annual sacrifice on the day on which, with Q. Lucretius and M. Vinicius as consuls, I had returned to the city from Syria, from our cognomen and named the day the Augustalia.

[12] Ex senatus auctoritate pars praetorum et tribunorum plebi cum consule Q. Lucretio et principibus viris obviam mihi missa est in Campaniam, qui honos ad hoc tempus nemimi praeter me est decretus. Cum ex Hispania Galliaque, rebus in iis provincis prospere gestis, Romam redi, Ti. Nerone P. Qintilio consulibus, aram Pacis Augustae senatus pro reditu meo consacrandam censuit ad campum Martium, in qua magistratus et sacerdotes virginesque Vestales anniversarium sacrificium facere iussit.

[12] By authority of the senate, a part of the praetors and of the tribunes of the plebs, together with the consul Q. Lucretius and leading men, was sent to meet me into Campania—an honor which up to this time has been decreed to no one except me. When, from Spain and Gaul, matters in those provinces having been managed prosperously, I returned to Rome, in the consulship of Ti. Nero and P. Quintilius, the senate decreed that an Altar of Augustan Peace be consecrated for my return at the Campus Martius, on which it ordered the magistrates and the priests and the Vestal virgins to perform an annual sacrifice.

[13] Ianum Quinnum, quem claussum esse maiores nostri voluerunt cum per totum imperium populi Romani terra marique esset parta victoriis pax, cum priusquam nascerer, a condita urbe bis omnino clausum fuisse prodatur memoriae, ter me principe senatus claudendum esse censuit.

[13] The Janus Quirinus, which our ancestors wished to be closed whenever through the whole empire of the Roman people, by land and sea, peace had been obtained by victories—since, before I was born, from the founding of the city it is recorded in memory to have been closed only twice—the senate, with me as princeps, judged that it should be closed three times.

[14] Filios meos, quos iuvenes mihi eripuit fortuna, Gaium et Lucium Caesares honoris mei caussa senatus populusque Romanus annum quintum et decimum agentis consules designavit, ut eum magistratum inirent post quinquennium, et ex eo die quo deducti sunt in forum ut interessent consiliis publicis decrevit senatus. Equites autem Romani universi principem iuventutis utrumque eorum parmis et hastis argenteis donatum appellaverunt.

[14] My sons, whom Fortune snatched from me as youths, Gaius and Lucius Caesars, for the sake of my honor, the Senate and People of Rome designated consuls when they were in their 15th year, so that they might enter upon that magistracy after 5 years; and from the day on which they were escorted into the forum the senate decreed that they should take part in public counsels. But the Roman equites in their entirety hailed each of them as prince of the youth, presented with small shields (parmae) and silver spears.

[15] Plebei Romanae viritim HS trecenos numeravi ex testamento patris mei et nomine meo HS quadringenos ex bellorum manibiis consul quintum dedi, iterum autem in consulatu decimo ex patrimonio meo HS quadringenos congiari viritim pernumeravi, et consul undecimum duodecim frumentationes frumento privatim coempto emensus sum, et tribunicia potestate duodecimum quadringenos nummos tertium viritim dedi. Quae mea congiaria pervenerunt ad hominum millia numquam minus quinquaginta et ducenta. Tribuniciae potestatis duodevicensimum, consul XII, trecentis et viginti millibus plebis urbanae sexagenos denarios viritim dedi.

[15] To the Roman plebs, per head, I paid out 300 sesterces from the will of my father, and in my own name I gave 400 sesterces from the spoils of wars, when consul for the fifth time; again, moreover, in my tenth consulship, from my patrimony I counted out as a donative per head 400 sesterces, and as consul for the eleventh time I measured out twelve distributions of grain, with grain privately purchased, and in the twelfth tribunician power I gave, for the third time, 400 coins per head. These my donatives reached numbers of men never less than 250,000. In the eighteenth tribunician power, consul 12, to 320,000 of the urban plebs I gave 60 denarii per head.

Et colonis militum meorum consul quintum ex manibiis viritim millia nummum singula dedi; acceperunt id triumphale congiarium in colonis hominum circiter centum et viginti millia. Consul tertium decimum sexagenos denarios plebei quae tum frumentum publicum accipiebat dedi; ea millia hominum paullo plura quam ducenta fuerunt.

And to the colonists of my soldiers, consul for the 5th time, from the war‑spoils (manubiae) I gave individually 1,000 sesterces apiece; about 120,000 men among the colonists received that triumphal congiary. In my 13th consulship I gave 60 denarii to the plebs who at that time was receiving the public grain; those numbered a little more than 200,000 persons.

[16] Pecuniam pro agris quos in consulatu meo quarto et postea consulibus M. Crasso et Cn. Lentulo Augure adsignavi militibus solvi municipis; ea summa sestertium circiter sexsiens milliens fuit quam pro Italicis praedis numeravi, et circiter bis milliens et sescentiens quod pro agris provincialibus solvi. Id primus et solus omnium qui deduxerunt colonias militum in Italia aut in provincis ad memoriam aetatis meae feci. Et postea, Ti. Nerone et Cn. Pisone consulibus itemque C. Antistio et D. Laelio cos.

[16] The money for the fields which in my 4th consulship, and afterwards when M. Crassus and Cn. Lentulus Augur were consuls, I assigned to the soldiers, was paid by the municipia; that sum was about 600,000,000 sesterces which I paid for Italian estates, and about 260,000,000 which I paid for provincial lands. This I did first and alone of all who settled colonies of soldiers in Italy or in the provinces within the memory of my lifetime. And afterwards, when Ti. Nero and Cn. Piso were consuls, and likewise C. Antistius and D. Laelius, consuls.

et C. Calvisio et L. Pasieno consulibus et L. Lentulo et M. Messalla consulibus et L. Camnio et Q. Fabricio cos., militibus quos emeriteis stipendis in sua municipia deduxi praemia numerato persolvi, quam in rem sestertium quater milliens circiter impendi.

and C. Calvisius and L. Pasienus as consuls and L. Lentulus and M. Messalla as consuls and L. Camnius and Q. Fabricius consuls, to the soldiers whom, with their terms of service earned out, I led back into their own municipalities, the rewards I paid in cash; for which matter I expended about 400,000,000 sesterces.

[17] Quater pecunia mea iuvi aerarium, ita ut sestertium milliens et quingentiens ad eos qui praerant aerario detulerim. Et M. Lepido et L. Arruntio cos. in aerarium militare, quod ex consilio meo constitutum est ex quo praemia darentur militibus qui vicena aut plura stipendia emeruissent, HS milliens et septingentiens ex patrimonio meo detuli.

[17] Four times with my own money I aided the treasury, such that I delivered 150,000,000 sesterces to those who were in charge of the treasury. And, when M. Lepidus and L. Arruntius were consuls, into the military treasury—which was established on my counsel, from which rewards would be given to soldiers who had completed twenty or more years of service—I delivered 170,000,000 sesterces from my patrimony.

[18] Ab eo anno quo Cn. et P. Lentulli consules fuerunt, cum deficerent vectigalia, tum centum milibus hominum tum pluribus multo frumentarios et nummarios tributus ex horreo et patrimonio meo edidi.

[18] From the year in which Gnaeus and Publius Lentulus were consuls, when the revenues were failing, then to one hundred thousand men, then to far more, grain and monetary distributions I issued from my granary and my patrimony.

[19] Curiam et continens ei Chalcidicum templumque Apollinis in Palatio cum porticibus, aedem divi Iuli, Lupercal, porticum ad circum Flaminium, quam sum appellari passus ex nomine eius qui priorem eodem in solo fecerat, Octaviam, pulvinar ad circum maximum, aedes in Capitolio Iovis Feretri Iovis Tonantis, aedem Quirini, aedes Minervae et Iunonis Reginae et Iovis Libertatis in Aventino, aedem Larum in summa sacra via, aedem deum Penatium in Velia, aedem Iuventatis, aedem Matris Magnae in Palatio feci.

[19] The Curia and the Chalcidicum adjoining it, and the Temple of Apollo on the Palatine with porticoes, the temple of the deified Julius, the Lupercal, a portico by the Circus Flaminius, which I allowed to be called “Octavia” from the name of him who had earlier made a former one on the same site, a pulvinar at the Circus Maximus, temples on the Capitol of Jupiter Feretrius and Jupiter the Thunderer, the temple of Quirinus, temples of Minerva and of Juno Regina and of Jupiter Liberator on the Aventine, the temple of the Lares at the summit of the Sacred Way, the temple of the Penates on the Velia, the temple of Juventas, the temple of the Great Mother on the Palatine—I built.

[20] Capitolium et Pompeium theatrum utrumque opus impensa grandi refeci sine ulla inscriptione nominis mei. Rivos aquarum compluribus locis vetustate labentes refeci, et aquam quae Marcia appellatur duplicavi fonte novo in rivum eius inmisso. Forum Iulium et basilicam quae fuit inter aedem Castoris et aedem Saturni, coepta profligataque opera a patre meo, perfeci et eandem basilicam consumptam incendio, ampliato eius solo, sub titulo nominis filiorum meorum incohavi, et, si vivus non perfecissem, perfici ab heredibus meis iussi.

[20] I restored the Capitol and the Theatre of Pompey, both works, at great expense, without any inscription of my name. I repaired the channels of the waters, slipping in several places through age, and I doubled the water which is called the Marcia by sending a new spring into its channel. The Julian Forum and the basilica which was between the temple of Castor and the temple of Saturn, works begun and driven nearly to completion by my father, I finished; and the same basilica, consumed by fire, with its site enlarged, I began under the title of the name of my sons, and, if I should not have completed it while alive, I ordered it to be completed by my heirs.

Duo et octoginta templa deum in urbe consul sextum ex auctoritate senatus refeci nullo praetermisso quod eo tempore refici debebat. Consul septimum viam Flaminiam ab urbe Ariminum refeci pontesque omnes praeter Mulvium et Minucium.

Eighty-two temples of the gods in the city, as consul for the 6th time, by authority of the senate, I restored, with none omitted which at that time ought to be restored. As consul for the 7th time, I restored the Flaminian Way from the City to Ariminum, and all the bridges except the Mulvian and the Minucian.

[21] In privato solo Martis Ultoris templum forumque Augustum ex manibiis feci. Theatrum ad aedem Apollinis in solo magna ex parte a privatis empto feci, quod sub nomine M. Marcelli generi mei esset. Dona ex manibiis in Capitolio et in aede divi Iuli et in aede Apollinis et in aede Vestae et in templo Martis Ultoris consacravi, quae mihi constiterunt HS circiter milliens.

[21] On private ground I built the temple of Mars the Avenger and the Forum of Augustus from spoils of war. I built a theater by the temple of Apollo on a site purchased for the most part from private individuals, which was to be under the name of M. Marcellus, my son-in-law. Gifts from the spoils I consecrated on the Capitol and in the temple of the deified Julius and in the temple of Apollo and in the temple of Vesta and in the temple of Mars the Avenger, which cost me HS about 1,000,000,000.

Auri coronari pondo triginta et quinque millia municipiis et colonis Italiae conferentibus ad triumphos meos quintum consul remisi, et postea, quotienscumque imperator appellatus sum, aurum coronarium non accepi decernentibus municipiis et colonis aeque benigne adque antea decreverant.

Of crown-gold weighing thirty-five thousand pounds, with the municipalities and colonists of Italy contributing for my triumphs, when consul for the 5th time I remitted it; and afterwards, whenever I was hailed imperator, I did not accept the crown-gold, although the municipalities and colonists decreed it just as kindly as they had decreed before.

[22] Ter munus gladiatorium dedi meo nomine et quinquiens filiorum meorum aut nepotum nomine, quibus muneribus depugnaverunt hominum circiter decem millia. Bis athletarum undique accitorum spectaculum populo praebui meo nomine et tertium nepotis mei nomine. Ludos feci meo nomine quater, aliorum autem magistratuum vicem ter et viciens.

[22] I gave three gladiatorial shows in my own name and five in the name of my sons or grandsons, in which spectacles about ten thousand men fought to the finish. Twice I provided to the people a spectacle of athletes summoned from everywhere in my own name, and a third time in the name of my grandson. I put on games in my own name four times, and in the stead of other magistrates twenty-three times.

Pro conlegio XV virorum magister conlegii collega M. Agrippa ludos saeclares C. Furnio C. Silano cos. feci. Consul XIII ludos Martiales primus feci quos post id tempus deinceps insequentibus annis s.c. et lege fecerunt consules.

On behalf of the college of the 15 men, as master of the college, with my colleague M. Agrippa, I held the Secular Games when Gaius Furnius and Gaius Silanus were consuls. As consul for the 13th time, I first held the Martial Games, which after that time, in successive years, the consuls held by decree of the senate and by law.

Venationes bestiarum Africanarum meo nomine aut filiorum meorum et nepotum in circo aut in foro aut in amphitheatris populo dedi sexiens et viciens, quibus confecta sunt bestiarum circiter tria millia et quingentae.

Hunts of African beasts in my name or in the names of my sons and grandsons in the circus or in the forum or in amphitheaters I gave to the people twenty-six times, by which there were dispatched of beasts about three thousand and five hundred.

[23] Navalis proeli spectaclum populo dedi trans Tiberim in quo loco nunc nemus est Caesarum, cavato solo in longitudinem mille et octingentos pedes, in latitudinem mille et ducenti, in quo triginta rostratae naves triremes aut biremes, plures autem minores inter se conflixerunt; quibus in classibus pugnaverunt praeter remiges millia hominum tria circiter.

[23] I gave to the people a spectacle of a naval battle across the Tiber, in the place where now is the grove of the Caesars, with the ground excavated to a length of 1,800 feet, in a width of 1,200, in which thirty rostrate ships, triremes or biremes, but many more smaller, clashed with one another; in which fleets there fought, besides the oarsmen, about 3,000 men.

[24] In templis omnium civitatium provinciae Asiae victor ornamenta reposui quae spoliatis templis is cum quo bellum gesseram privatim possederat. Statuae meae pedestres et equestres et in quadrigeis argenteae steterunt in urbe XXC circiter, quas ipse sustuli, exque ea pecunia dona aurea in aede Apollinis meo nomine et illorum qui mihi statuarum honorem habuerunt posui.

[24] In the temples of all the cities of the province of Asia I, as victor, restored the ornaments which, with the temples despoiled, the man with whom I had waged war had possessed privately. My statues on foot and on horseback and in four-horse chariots, of silver, stood in the city about 80, which I myself removed, and from that money I placed golden gifts in the temple of Apollo in my name and in the names of those who had held for me the honor of statues.

[25] Mare pacavi a praedonibus. Eo bello servorum qui fugerant a dominis suis et arma contra rem publicam ceperant triginta fere millia capta dominis ad supplicium sumendum tradidi. Iuravit in mea verba tota Italia sponte sua, et me belli quo vici ad Actium ducem depoposcit; iuraverunt in eadem verba provinciae Galliae, Hispaniae, Africa, Sicilia, Sardinia.

[25] I pacified the sea from pirates. In that war, of slaves who had fled from their masters and had taken up arms against the Republic, almost 30,000, once captured, I handed over to their masters for the taking of punishment. All Italy, of its own accord, swore to my words, and demanded me as leader of the war by which I conquered at Actium; in the same words swore the provinces of Gaul, Spain, Africa, Sicily, Sardinia.

Qui sub signis meis tum militaverint fuerunt senatores plures quam DCC, in iis qui vel antea vel postea consules facti sunt ad eum diem quo scripta sunt haec LXXXIII, sacerdotes circiter CLXX.

Those who under my standards then served as soldiers were senators more than 700; among these, those who either earlier or later were made consuls up to the day on which these things were written, 83; priests about 170.

[26] Omnium provinciarum populi Romani quibus finitimae fuerunt gentes quae non parerent imperio nostro fines auxi. Gallias et Hispanias provincias, item Germaniam, qua includit Oceanus a Gadibus ad ostium Albis fluminis pacavi. Alpes a regione ea quae proxima est Hadriano mari ad Tuscum pacificavi nulli genti bello per iniuriam inlato.

[26] I increased the boundaries of all the provinces of the Roman People whose neighboring peoples did not obey our authority. The Gallic and Spanish provinces, likewise Germany, which the Ocean encloses from Gades to the mouth of the river Elbe, I pacified. The Alps, from the region which is nearest to the Adriatic Sea to the Tuscan Sea, I pacified, with war brought upon no nation through injustice.

Classis mea per Oceanum ab ostio Rheni ad solis orientis regionem usque ad fines Cimbrorum navigavit, quo neque terra neque mari quisquam Romanus ante id tempus adit. Cimbrique et Charydes et Semnones et eiusdem tractus alii Germanorum populi per legatos amicitiam meam et populi Romani petierunt. Meo iussu et auspicio ducti sunt duo exercitus eodem fere tempore in Aethiopiam et in Arabiam quae appellatur Eudaemon, magnaeque hostium gentis utriusque copiae caesae sunt in acie et complura oppida capta.

My fleet sailed through the Ocean from the mouth of the Rhine to the region of the rising sun, as far as the borders of the Cimbri, to which neither by land nor by sea had any Roman come before that time. The Cimbri and the Charydes and the Semnones and other peoples of the Germans of the same tract sought my friendship and that of the Roman People through legates. By my order and under my auspices two armies were led at nearly the same time into Ethiopia and into Arabia which is called Eudaemon, and large forces of the enemy of each nation were cut down in the battle-line and several towns were captured.

In Aethiopiam usque ad oppidum Nabata perventum est, cui proxima est Meroe; in Arabiam usque in fines Sabaeorum processit exercitus ad oppidum Mariba.

Into Ethiopia it was reached as far as the town Nabata, next to which is Meroe; into Arabia the army advanced as far as the borders of the Sabaeans, to the town Mariba.

[27] Aegyptum imperio populi Romani adieci. Armeniam maiorem interfecto rege eius Artaxe cum possem facere provinciam malui maiorum nostrorum exemplo regnum id Tigrani regis Artavasdis filio, nepoti autem Tigranis regis, per Ti. Neronem tradere, qui tum mihi privignus erat. Et eandem gentem postea desciscentem et rebellantem domitam per Gaium filium meum regi Ariobarzani regis Medorum Artabazi filio regendam tradidi, et post eius mortem filio eius Artavasdi; quo interfecto Tigranem qui erat ex regio genere Armeniorum oriundus in id regnum misi.

[27] I added Egypt to the imperium of the Roman people. Greater Armenia, after its king Artaxes had been slain, although I could have made it a province, I preferred, following the example of our ancestors, to hand over that kingdom to Tigranes, son of King Artavasdes and grandson of King Tigranes, through Tiberius Nero, who at that time was my stepson. And that same nation later, defecting and rebelling, having been subdued, I entrusted to be governed by King Ariobarzanes, son of Artabazus, king of the Medes, through my son Gaius, and after his death to his son Artavasdes; and when he had been slain, I sent Tigranes, who was sprung from the royal stock of the Armenians, into that kingdom.

Provincias omnis quae trans Hadrianum mare vergunt ad orientem Cyrenasque, iam ex parte magna regibus ea possidentibus, et antea Siciliam et Sardiniam occupatas bello servili reciperavi.

All the provinces which lie across the Adriatic Sea toward the East, and Cyrene—now, with a great part of them being held by kings—and previously Sicily and Sardinia, seized in the Servile War, I recovered.

[28] Colonias in Africa, Sicilia, Macedonia, utraque Hispania, Achaia, Asia, Syria, Gallia Narbonensi, Pisidia militum deduxi. Italia autem XXVIII colonias quae vivo me celeberrimae et frequentissimae fuerunt mea auctoritate deductas habet.

[28] I led out colonies of soldiers in Africa, Sicily, Macedonia, both Spains, Achaia, Asia, Syria, Narbonensian Gaul, and Pisidia. Italy moreover has 28 colonies which, in my lifetime, were most celebrated and most frequented, planted by my authority, it possesses.

[29] Signa militaria complura per alios duces amissa devictis hostibus recepi ex Hispania et Gallia et a Dalmateis. Parthos trium exercitum Romanorum spolia et signa reddere mihi supplicesque amicitiam populi Romani petere coegi. Ea autem signa in penetrali quod est in templo Martis Ultoris reposui.

[29] A good many military standards, lost under other generals, I recovered with the enemies conquered from Spain and Gaul and from the Dalmatians. The Parthians I compelled to return the spoils and standards of three Roman armies, and as suppliants to seek the friendship of the Roman people. These standards I placed in the penetral, which is in the temple of Mars the Avenger.

[30] Pannoniorum gentes, quas ante me principem populi Romani exercitus nunquam adit, devictas per Ti. Neronem, qui tum erat privignus et legatus meus, imperio populi Romani subieci, protulique fines Illyrici ad ripam fluminis Danui. Citra quod Dacorum transgressus exercitus meis auspicis victus profilgatusque est, et postea trans Danuvium ductus exercitus meus Dacorum gentes imperia populi Romani perferre coegit.

[30] The nations of the Pannonians, which before me as princeps the army of the Roman people had never approached, having been conquered through Ti. Nero, who at that time was my step‑son and my legate, I subjected to the dominion of the Roman people, and I extended the bounds of Illyricum to the bank of the river Danube. On this side of which the army of the Dacians, having crossed over, under my auspices was defeated and routed; and afterwards, my army led across the Danube compelled the nations of the Dacians to bear the commands of the Roman people.

[31] Ad me ex India regum legationes saepe missae sunt non visae ante id tempus apud quemquam Romanorum ducem. Nostram amicitiam appetiverunt per legatos Bastarnae Scythaeque et Sarmatarum qui sunt citra flumen Tanaim et ultra reges, Albanorumque rex et Hiberorum et Medorum.

[31] To me from India embassies of kings were often sent, not seen before that time by any Roman commander. Our friendship was sought through legates by the Bastarnae and the Scythians and by the kings of the Sarmatians who are on this side of the river Tanais and beyond, and by the king of the Albanians and of the Iberians and of the Medes.

[32] Ad me supplices confugerunt reges Parthorum Tiridates et postea Phrates regis Phratis filius, Medorum Artavasdes, Adiabenorum Artaxares, Britannorum Dumnobellaunus et Tincommius, Sugambrorum Maelo, Marcomanorum Sueborum . . . rus. Ad me rex Parthorum Phrates Orodis filius filios suos nepotesque omnes misit in Italiam non bello superatus, sed amicitiam nostram per liberorum suorum pignora petens. Plurimaeque aliae gentes expertae sunt p. R. fidem me principe quibus antea cum populo Romano nullum extiterat legationum et amicitiae commercium.

[32] To me, as suppliants, fled the kings of the Parthians, Tiridates and afterwards Phraates, the son of King Phraates; of the Medes, Artavasdes; of the Adiabeni, Artaxares; of the Britons, Dumnobellaunus and Tincommius; of the Sugambri, Maelo; of the Marcomanni of the Suebi . . . rus. To me the king of the Parthians, Phraates, son of Orodes, sent his sons and all his grandsons into Italy, not overcome in war, but seeking our friendship by the pledges of his children. And many other nations experienced the faith of the Roman People, I being princeps, nations with which previously there had existed no interchange of embassies and friendship with the Roman People.

[33] A me gentes Parthorum et Medorum per legatos principes earum gentium reges petitos acceperunt: Parthi Vononem, regis Phratis filium, regis Orodis nepotem, Medi Ariobarzanem, regis Artavazdis filium, regis Ariobarzanis nepotem.

[33] From me the peoples of the Parthians and of the Medes, through legates, received the kings they had requested, the leading men of those nations: the Parthians, Vonones, son of King Phraates, grandson of King Orodes; the Medes, Ariobarzanes, son of King Artavasdes, grandson of King Ariobarzanes.

[34] In consulatu sexto et septimo, postquam bella civilia exstinxeram, per consensum universorum potitus rerum omnium, rem publicam ex mea potestate in senatus populique Romani arbitrium transtuli. Quo pro merito meo senatus consulto Augustus appellatus sum et laureis postes aedium mearum vestiti publice coronaque civica super ianuam meam fixa est et clupeus aureus in curia Iulia positus, quem mihi senatum populumque Romanum dare virtutis clementiaeque et iustitiae et pietatis caussa testatum est per eius clupei inscriptionem. Post id tempus auctoritate omnibus praestiti, potestatis autem nihilo amplius habui quam ceteri qui mihi quoque in magistratu conlegae fuerunt.

[34] In my sixth and seventh consulship, after I had extinguished the civil wars, by the consent of all, having obtained control of all affairs, I transferred the commonwealth from my power into the arbitrament of the Senate and People of Rome. For which service of mine, by senatorial decree I was called Augustus, and the doorposts of my house were clothed with laurels by public act, and a civic crown was fixed above my doorway, and a golden shield was placed in the Julian Curia, which it was attested by the inscription of that shield that the Senate and People of Rome gave to me for the sake of my virtue, clemency, justice, and piety. After that time I excelled all in authority, but I had no more power than the rest who were also colleagues with me in magistracy.

[35] Tertium decimum consulatum cum gerebam, senatus et equester ordo populusque Romanus universus appellavit me patrem patriae, idque in vestibulo aedium mearum inscribendum et in curia Iulia et in foro Aug. sub quadrigis quae mihi ex s.c. positae sunt censuit. Cum scripsi haec annum agebam septuagensumum sextum.

[35] While I was holding my 13th consulship, the Senate and the equestrian order and the whole Roman people hailed me Father of the Fatherland, and decreed that this be inscribed in the vestibule of my house and in the Curia Julia and in the Forum of Augustus beneath the quadrigae which were set up for me by decree of the Senate. When I wrote these things, I was in my 76th year.

[1] Summa pecuniae quam dedit vel in aerarium vel Plebei Romanae vel dimissis militibus: denarium sexiens milliens.

[1] The total sum of money which he gave either into the treasury or to the Roman Plebs or to discharged soldiers: six hundred million denarii.

[2] Opera fecit nova aedem Martis, Iovis Tonantis et Feretri, Apollinis, divi Iuli, Quirini, Minervae, Iunonis Reginae, Iovis Libertatis, Larum, deum Penatium, Iuventatis, Matris Magnae, Lupercal, pulvinar ad circum, curiam cum Chalcidico, forum Augustum, basilicam Iuliam, theatrum Marcelli, porticum Octaviam, nemus trans Tiberim Caesarum.

[2] He made new works: the temple of Mars, of Jupiter the Thunderer and Feretrius, of Apollo, of the deified Julius, of Quirinus, of Minerva, of Juno the Queen, of Jupiter of Liberty, of the Lares, of the Penates, of Youth, of the Great Mother, the Lupercal, a pulvinar by the Circus, a curia with a Chalcidicum, the Forum of Augustus, the Basilica Julia, the Theater of Marcellus, the Portico of Octavia, a grove of the Caesars across the Tiber.

[3] Refecit Capitolium sacrasque aedes numero octoginta duas, theatrum Pompei, aquarum rivos, viam Flaminiam.

[3] He restored the Capitol and sacred temples, eighty-two in number, the Theater of Pompey, the water-channels, the Flaminian Way.

[4] Impensa praestita in spectacula scaenica et munera gladiatorum atque athletas et venationes et naumachiam et donata pecunia colonis, municipiis, oppidis terrae motu incendioque consumptis aut viritim amicis senatoribusque quorum census explevit innumerabilis.

[4] Expenditure was furnished for scenic spectacles and gladiatorial munera and athletes and beast-hunts and a naumachia, and money—innumerable—was given to colonists, municipalities, and towns consumed by earthquake and conflagration, or man-by-man to friends and senators, whose census-valuation he replenished.