Urbs Aeterna: The Capital Image of “Eternal” Rome and the Formation of the Empire’s Image in the Age of Augustus

УДК 94(37):32 ББК 63.3(0)323

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of the formation and evolution of Rome’s capital image, as well as the interrelation ofthis image with the construction of the Roman Empire’s image during the age of Augustus. The work provides an overview of the historiography of the issue and examines the mechanisms through which Augustus and his circle employed political, social, religious, and cultural means to create the representation of Rome as the “eternal city” and the imperial capital, symbolizing greatness, stability, order, and prosperity. The formation of Rome’s capital image was not a byproduct but a strategic instrument in constructing a new, empire-wide Roman identity. The policies pursued contributed to the development and consolidation of imperial authority, the unification of society, and the establishment of a new ideological framework that legitimized the creation of an empire centered in Rome. Despite criticism and alternative perspectives, Augustus’s role in shaping both the capital and imperial image of Rome remains indisputable. The techniques and instruments of image-making employed by the imperial power were repeatedly applied and further developed in new contexts. The classical image of Rome as the “Eternal City” and the “Capital of the World” endured for many centuries, exerting a profound influence on the politics and culture not only of numerous European countries but also far beyond.