Res Gestae

The Res Gestae (Full name: Res Gestae Divi Augusti) was Augustus' description of his achievements as emperor. It emphasises his administrative skill, the honours he received (and refused), good relations with the Senate and people, and the peace he brought to the empire.

The Res Gestae was completed just before Augustus' death, although it was most likely later edited by others, and the appendix was most certainly written by someone else as it is in the third person.

Positives
Although the Res Gestae is essentially a propaganda piece, it should not be overlooked as a first-hand, first-person account of Augustus' rule. While (as mentioned later) Augustus' failings were glossed over or overlooked, the Res Gestae is an excellent source for Augustus' positive achievements.

Negatives
Naturally Augustus would not have written down his failings in the Res Gestae, for example events such as the catastrophic Varian Disaster are absent. It also glosses over the civil war and assassination of Julius Caesar, as Augustus was not keen to remind the Senate and people that he had fought fellow Romans to get to his position.

The Res Gestae also promotes the image (that Augustus tried very hard to maintain) that he was a first among equals upholding the old republican traditions when in reality he had become a monarchical dictator. This is best represented by this quote:"'From that time I surpassed all others in influence, yet my official powers were no greater than those of my colleague in office.' - Res Gestae"