Rome do build the Assurance of the Peace which they enjoy, upon the Wisdom of your Government only. When I reflect upon the large Extent of your Mind, whose cares are not confined to the Affairs of State, but has regard to the most minute advantages of the publick, I observe, that you are not content to make the City of Rome the Mistress of so many Provinces, as have submitted to her, but you make her admirable for the excellent Structure of her great Buildings, and that you will have their Magnificence to equal the Majesty of your Empire.
Indeed there never was a Prince, that was more Magnificent in his Buildings, or more Liberal than Augustus, having built many Temples to the Gods, it Rome and else∣where.
He composed several ingenious Works, which discover his Personal Learning, but they are lost through the Injuries of Time, As his Exhortations to Philosophy. 13 Books of his Life, the Funeral Orations of Julia his Aunt, Octavia his Sister, Drusus Marcellus and Agrippa, his Treatises of Government, a Po∣em on Sicily, the Tragedies of Ajax and Achil∣les, and several other Greek and Latin Works, which he read, says Suetonius, in the Senate, and before the People.
Being Consul the sixth time, and seeing his Power established by the Defeat of Lepidus and Autonius, which put an end to that cruel Tri-umverate, he abolished the Laws which he had made in his Usurpation, and made others, says Tacitus, by which the People might live in Peace under his Empire: He died at Nola in the 67th. Year of his Age, and left only one Daughter, and she very loose and wicked. His Will was brought to the Senate by the Vestal Virgins; he made Tiberius and Livia his Heirs, adopting him into the Family of the Caesars, and giving her the Ti∣tle of Empress. He gave to the People of Rome, 43500000 Sesterces, a 1000 to every Souldier of his Guards, and 300 to them in the Legions. His Body was carried to the Fire upon the Senators Shoulders, and burnt in Mars's Field, which he had appointed for his Burial. He refused the Dignity of Dicta∣tor and King, and was content with a more modest Title, the Prince of the Senate. His Funeral being performed, Temples, and Di∣vine Honours were appointed him, not only at Rome, but also almost in all Places with Sacrifices and Priests.
A Society of 25 Priests was instituted in Imitation of that, which Titus Tatius introdu∣ced long before at Rome, to preserve some∣thing of the Religion of the Sab••••s. This Society consisted of 21 of the chief Men of the City, which were chosen by Lot, and Ti∣berius, Drusus, Glaudius and Germanicus were added to them.
One Month in the Roman Calendar, which before was called Sextilis, was named from him, Augustus. He was the first that bore the name of Pater Patriae, according to the Te∣stimony of Pliny, which Title also Ovid gives him.
Sancte Pater Patriae, tibi plebs, tibi Curiae nomen,
Hoc dedit. Fast. Lib. II. v. 127.
Tiberius his Successor began to build him 2 Temple at Rome, which was finished by Cali∣gula, and repaired by Antoninus Pius, as his Me∣dals shew.