To what extent did Augustus use the building programme to beautify Rome.

The first 200 words of this essay...

To what extent did Augustus use the building programme to beautify Rome. (40 Marks)

Augustus undoubtedly had designs to create a state capable of being an imperial capital and he was aware that his building programme was an essential aspect of this. Suetonius mentions this desire as he states that Augustus was "aware that the city was architecturally unworthy of her position as capital of the Roman Empire." He goes on to recite Augustus' famous quote that he often boasted of having "found Rome built of bricks; I leave her clothed in marble." This quote immediately reflects Augustus' ambitions to create a state worthy of its empire, although it is important to understand that there were many other contributing motivations and ambitions held by Augustus which he hoped to accomplish through the building programme.

Presenting Rome as an imperial capital was obviously an objective of Augustus which can be seen in his boasts of having "found Rome built of bricks; I leave her clothed in marble." Augustus was concerned with restoring and building theatres such as the theatre of Pompey and Marcellus which he built "without inscribing my own name on it" which implies that he was concerned