Emperor Augustus

This picture comes from the Facebook page of the British Museum, which reminded me earlier this month that August is named after Emperor Augustus. I wanted to share the photo on the 18th of August, which is the anniversary of his death, but I forgot. So anyway, here it is. I have to say, when I see one of his portraits, I'm always surprised that he doesn't look like Brian Blessed. (I hope you can guess why I said that.) Be that as it may, you can easily believe just looking at this portrait why this man once ruled the Western world for 40 years. Anyway, on a side note the British Museum is reopening on the 27th of August. I won't go there any time soon, although I hope to visit it at some point in the future.

Ancient Ring from Ancient Rome

Yesterday was the anniversary of the assasination of Julius Caesar, the coup d'état that changed Ancient Rome forever and slowly turned it from a republic to an empire. I love history and have developed a keen interest in this particular time period. So anyway, the Facebook page of the British Museum shared this picture. This is what the Museum says about it: "This ring is thought to have been worn by one of Caesar’s supporters after his death, showing allegiance to Octavian and Mark Antony rather than Brutus and Cassius, who led the assassination. It is made of iron – considered lucky by the Romans – and shows a portrait of Caesar." I have little more to add, except that I find it fascinating and I was truly in awe when I saw it. I wish I could visit the British Museum, or Rome. Not anytime soon unfortunately.

The month of Augustus

We are approaching the end of August. It is a month I have ambivalent feelings about: it often gives me blues. But it is also the month named after Emperor Augustus. And I admire Augustus, although more for the fictitious portrayal of various pieces of fiction than . So I decided, to pay homage to the man, to upload a video from the miniseries Rome on Vraie Fiction. This is the scene where then Octavian Caesar (played by Simon Woods) becomes consul, shows himself as a ruthless man, yet a true leader. History makes powerful drama and great TV moments.