Roman Augustus mount

Roman Augustus mount
ITEM: Augustus mount
MATERIAL: Lead
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 25 mm x 15 mm
CONDITION: Good condition. Includes old dealer's ticket.
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, bought in English auction house. Ex Walter Steinberg collection, acquired from London art market between 1960s - 1970s.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman Emperor Augustus, born Gaius Octavius in 63 BCE, was the first emperor of Rome and one of the most significant figures in Roman history. After the assassination of his great-uncle and adoptive father, Julius Caesar, in 44 BCE, Augustus (then known as Octavian) navigated the chaotic power struggles of the Roman Republic. His military and political prowess led him to defeat key rivals, including Mark Antony and Cleopatra, in the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. With these victories, Augustus consolidated power and, in 27 BCE, was granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire under his rule.

Augustus’ reign, which lasted from 27 BCE to 14 CE, is known for its relative peace and prosperity, a period often referred to as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace). He implemented widespread reforms in government, finance, and infrastructure, stabilizing the empire after years of civil war. Augustus was a skilled administrator who worked to rebuild Rome, famously stating that he "found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble." He expanded the empire’s borders and established a professional standing army, while also developing a more structured provincial administration. These reforms laid the foundation for the empire's long-term stability and expansion.

Augustus also understood the power of propaganda and carefully crafted his image as the ideal leader. Through literature, monuments, and coins, he presented himself as a restorer of peace and traditional Roman values, emphasizing his connection to the gods, particularly Apollo. The famous Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) and his Res Gestae (inscribed achievements) celebrated his accomplishments and reinforced his role as Rome’s divinely favored ruler. Augustus' legacy endured long after his death in 14 CE, as he established the imperial system that would govern Rome for centuries and became a model for future emperors.

Measurement:

1.5 x 2.5 cm