# Augustus Caesar — Dialogues character guide > Augustus Caesar in Dialogues by Seneca. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Augustus, the late Emperor Augustus, Emperor Augustus **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot The late emperor whose long absences from Rome became, in Seneca's telling, an argument that even the wise man's true country is the world. ## Who they are Augustus hovers over these dialogues as the recently dead founder whose ten years abroad are cited to console an exile: if the emperor himself was absent from his country for a decade, why should banishment crush a philosopher? He embodies the ambiguous legacy of power—revered, invoked as a model ruler, yet also a reminder that even the greatest are subject to fortune's reversals. His example lets Seneca press the early claim that circumstance matters less than the mind that meets it. ## Relationships ### [Caligula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/caligula) _family_ Augustus Caesar is Caligula's great-grandfather, a revered ancestor whose legacy looms over Caligula. ### [Lucius Cinna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/lucius_cinna) _professional_ Augustus Caesar and Lucius Cinna have a professional relationship as emperor and senator, marked by political maneuvering. ### [Lucius Cinna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/lucius_cinna) _professional_ Augustus Caesar and Lucius Cinna have a professional relationship as emperor and senator, marked by political maneuvering. ### [Lucius Cinna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/lucius_cinna) _professional_ Augustus Caesar and Lucius Cinna have a professional relationship as emperor and senator, marked by political maneuvering. ### [Caligula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/caligula) _family_ Augustus Caesar is Caligula's great-grandfather, a revered ancestor whose legacy looms over Caligula. ## In the story ### [Two Examples of Grief: Octavia and Livia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ii) The emperor, brother of Octavia and husband of Livia, who had chosen Marcellus as his successor. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as staggering under the loss of a supporter, and as husband of Julia Augusta. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xv) Lost his children and grandchildren, and had to adopt a son to prop his empty house; bore his losses bravely. ### [The Descent into Cruelty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as the emperor under whom Volesus served as proconsul of Asia Minor. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxiii) Shows remarkable patience and clemency toward the historian Timagenes, who insulted him and his family, even forbidding retaliation. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxiv) Cited as an example of being satisfied with leaving the society of his maligner. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xl) Reproves Vedius Pollio by ordering the slave freed, all crystal broken, and the fish tank filled, demonstrating proper use of power. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as the Emperor Augustus, whose deeds the current Caesar is to rival and surpass. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xv) Lost his sister Octavia, his son-in-law, children, and grandchildren, yet bore all sorrows and conquered his own grief. ### [The Longing for Leisure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/iv) The late Emperor Augustus is cited as a prime example of a powerful man who longed for leisure, despite his unparalleled blessings. He expressed his desire for rest in a letter to the Senate and endured immense labors and conspiracies. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-i) Mentioned as a model of good times, contrasted with Nero's reign. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a previous emperor whose good times are no longer spoken of, as Nero's reign surpasses them. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ix) The late Emperor Augustus, who shows clemency to the conspirator Cinna. ### [On Clemency and the Model of Augustus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/x) Praised for his clemency in sparing and recruiting former opponents, waiting for Lepidus's death before taking the Pontifex Maximus, and forgiving those who conspired with his daughter. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi) Described as hasty and passionate in youth, later gentle and placable after acts of cruelty. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xv) Emperor who participates in Tarius' family trial, demonstrating impartiality and clemency by refusing inheritance and advocating for a mild punishment. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-i) Mentioned as an example of a giver whose advice is preferred to his presents. ### [Chapter XV: The Discretion of Benefits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned as someone whose advice is preferred over his presents. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-ii) Augustus pardoned Furnius's father and is cited as an example of generosity; Furnius expressed gratitude for being forced to live and die owing a debt of gratitude. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxv) Augustus pardoned Furnius' father and was impressed by Furnius' expression of perpetual gratitude. ### [Chapter XXVII: The Ingratitude of Greed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxvii) The late Emperor who generously enriched Cnaeus Lentulus, only to be met with ingratitude. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-iii) Mentioned as a son whose achievements would have amazed his father Octavius. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxvii) Augustus pardons Senator Rufus for a drunken remark against him, demonstrating clemency and generosity. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxxii) Referenced as the son of Octavius, whose rule brought peace and security, overshadowing his father's obscurity. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxxii) Banished his daughter for immorality, later regretted his actions and lamented the loss of Agrippa and Maecenas. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in notes on Cinna's conspiracy and the title 'Father of his country'; also referenced in note on toga-wearing. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/augustus_caesar - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters