Augustus

Statesmanship Rome -63 – 14 101 quotes

First Roman emperor who established the Principate and Pax Romana.

Quotes by Augustus

I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.

Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Augustus

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Often attributed, though more famously associated with Caesar. Augustus's reign was built on this legacy.

Make haste slowly.

Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Augustus

I have restored to the Senate and People of Rome their ancient rights and dignities.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I was unwilling to accept any office which was contrary to the customs of our ancestors.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I preferred to be the author of peace rather than of war.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

On my sixth and seventh consulships, after I had extinguished civil wars, having by universal consent achieved supreme power, I transferred the republic from my power to the authority of the Senate and Roman People.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I increased the number of the patricians.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I restored eighty-two temples of the gods in the city by the authority of the Senate.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I received the title of Augustus by a decree of the Senate.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I surpassed all others in authority, but I had no more power than the others who were my colleagues in any magistracy.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I declined to be made pontifex maximus in the place of another living man.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I have added Egypt to the empire of the Roman people.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I extended the boundaries of all the provinces of the Roman people.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I never undertook a war without just and necessary cause.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

I preferred to save a single citizen than to destroy a thousand enemies.

Attributed, reflecting his policy of clemency

The die is cast.

Often attributed to Caesar, but the sentiment of decisive action was central to Augustus's rise.

What is done well is done quickly enough.

Attributed, similar to 'make haste slowly'

Better a safe peace than a dangerous victory.

Attributed, reflecting his foreign policy

I was born in a small town, and I have made it the capital of the world.

Attributed, reflecting his pride in Rome's transformation