Compendium of Roman History / Res Gestae Divi Augusti

The "Compendium of Roman History" is a summarised history of Rome from the fall of Troy to 29 CE, written by the professional soldier and amateur historian Velleius Paterculus. The work has been criticised for its quality and pro-imperial bias, but it has concise essays on Roman colonies and provinces, and some effective portrayals of characters. The "Res Gestae Divi Augusti" is a short account of the great achievements of the emperor Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman Empire. This document was circulated throughout the Empire, and was reproduced many times. It is a unique document giving short details of his public offices and honours; his benefactions to the empire, to the people, and to the soldiers; and his services as a soldier and as an administrator. Arguably, it does gloss over his less pleasant acts. The best preserved copy (Latin and Greek) was engraved by the Galatians on the walls of the temple of Augustus at Ancyra (Ankara). This is a Loeb edition. The left page of the text contains the original Latin, the right page, an English translation.