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Primary sourceArtifact28 BCE

Mausoleum of Augustus

28 BCE

The large circular tomb Augustus built for himself and his family in Rome, where the bronze Res Gestae once stood at the entrance.

Augustus commissioned this tomb for himself and his family, displaying his dynastic ambitions early in his rule.

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A large circular brick-and-concrete ruined mausoleum with a tall arched entrance at the front, a low walled courtyard in front, tall cypress trees on both sides, and a cloudy blue sky.
Mausoleum of Augustus, 28 BCE. Rome.

About this source

What it is

The Mausoleum of Augustus is a large circular tomb built by Augustus in 28 BC on the Campus Martius in Rome. It held the ashes of the imperial family in a central chamber, and bronze plaques inscribed with the Res Gestae Divi Augusti flanked its entrance.

Why it matters

Built early in Augustus's sole rule, soon after his victory at Actium, the mausoleum announced his dynasty's permanence even before his death. Its later history shows how later rulers reused Augustus's memory: centuries afterward, Mussolini restored it as part of his effort to connect Fascist Italy to the glory of the Roman Empire.

Look closer

  • Why might a ruler build his own tomb so early in his reign?
  • What does placing the Res Gestae at the entrance tell you about what visitors were meant to think as they approached?
  • Why do you think later rulers like Mussolini wanted to be associated with Augustus's memory?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Augustus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Black-and-white photograph of a large weathered marble inscription in Latin capital letters, arranged in horizontal lines across several panels, with a large white area where stone is missing on the left side.Document

Primary source

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

Augustus · 14 AD

Line engraving of a curly-haired man in profile wearing a draped Roman cloak, one hand resting on a globe and the other holding a scroll, inside an ornate border. Title reads 'D. Oct. Augustus' with a text block below.Painting

Secondary source

Emperor Augustus with Globe

After Titian (engraving by A. Sadeler, after Titian) · between 1700 and 1799 (possibly 17th century)

Photograph of a marble sculpted head on a white background. It has short, wavy hair carved in curling locks, large almond-shaped eyes with heavy lids, a straight nose, and a small closed mouth. The neck is broken off at the bottom.Sculpture

Primary source

Relief Head of the Young Augustus

Marble statue of a standing man in armor, right arm raised pointing forward, with a draped cloak over his left arm. A small cupid-like figure with a dolphin stands beside his right leg. Plain dark grey background.Sculpture

Secondary source

Augustus of Prima Porta

c. 19 BCE or later

Marble enclosure of the Ara Pacis in a glass-walled museum hall, seen from the southwest. Carved relief panels decorate the walls, with a doorway and a stepped approach at the front.Artifact

Primary source

Ara Pacis

13-9 BCE

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