Augustus's long line of high-profile admirers see him as a great statesman who brought peace to a Roman Republic long afflicted by civil wars. But how admirable was he, really?
From the Temple of Heliopolis to the centre of Rome, the massive stone column has boosted the egos of several powerful men.
The Roman army at the Battle of Cannae. The painting depicts the death of Roman consul Paulus Aemilius.
John Trumbull (The Athenaeum / Yale University Art Gallery), via Wikimedia Commons
Tom Sapsford, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
An ancient Roman fable imagines a cinaedus, well-known for his brazen effeminacy, fighting heroically. The story raises concerns over gender identity in the military -- much like those seen today.