An Omen of Augustus's Future Greatness 

Giulio Bonasone created this print, "An Omen of Augustus's Future Greatness", sometime in the 16th century. Bonasone lived in a world where the narratives of great men, particularly Roman emperors, were constantly revitalized to legitimize power and influence. Here, the artist presents a scene imbued with anticipation, a birth attended by figures caught between grief and wonder, all set against a landscape punctuated by classical architectural motifs. Above, we see a vision of imperial glory foreshadowing Augustus's reign, the symbolic weight of this 'omen' carefully constructed to shape public perception. How does one reconcile the cost of imperial ambition with the promise of order and prosperity? The image invites reflection on the narratives of power we inherit and perpetuate. It asks us to consider whose stories are told, whose are left out, and how these omissions shape our understanding of history and our present.