Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy by Neel Burton is a non-fiction exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of ancient thought. This book imaginatively reconstructs the hypothetical exhortation to philosophy that the Roman emperor Augustus might have written, inspired by Cicero's Hortensius and Aristotle's Protrepticus. Using fragments from these lost works and insights from ancient philosophers such as Plato, Epicurus, and Seneca, Burton presents Augustus engaging in philosophical dialogue with his grandsons, aiming to inspire them as future philosopher-emperors.

Author Neel Burton adeptly brings ancient philosophical traditions to life with clarity and creativity, and there’s a great sense of accessibility to the work for newcomers and experts alike. As someone with a little interest in the subject matter beforehand, I found the context and explanations easy to interpret and piece together what I already knew about Plato, Cicero, and Seneca to fit into Burton’s bigger picture nicely. His ability to weave together historical fragments and philosophical insights to form a cohesive narrative highlights his expertise in both classical literature and philosophical discourse, but he also writes with great passion and enthusiasm for the subject. This gives the work a strong sense of warmth that makes it even more engaging to read. I also found the organization of information logical and sensible, building up ideas and making it easy to refer back to different sections if you need to cross-reference or familiarize yourself again. Overall, Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy is a recommended read that enriches our understanding of Roman thought and also provides compelling reasons to engage with both ancient and modern philosophy today.

Philosophy is viewed by many as the preserve of academia and those of higher intellect. Neel Burton sets out to provide new insights into philosophy, making it accessible to a wider audience and correcting the prevailing misapprehensions. He uses the example of Emperor Augustus (formerly Octavian), founder of the Roman Empire, who died in 14 CE. Augustus urged the public to embrace philosophy in a document, now lost. He was reputed to have drawn the inspiration for writing it from well-known figures such as Aristotle and Cicero. Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy points out that the Roman Empire derived much of its philosophical base from the ancient Greeks, and the author delves into the history of philosophical thought as a background to the book. Those times were overshadowed by political intrigue, corruption, scandals, a hunger for wealth and power, and the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. A new approach was desirable.

Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy is set around the years 1 or 2 BCE. It revolves around a hypothetical conversation between Augustus and his grandsons Gaius and Lucius, whom he had adopted as sons, to prepare them for future leadership roles. The conversation is remarkably well-written and evaluates many philosophical issues. It does so in a manner that is easy to read and devoid of the lofty terms that appear in academic works. Among other things, philosophy is described as the power to reason and a love of the world. The many concepts covered range from the role of intelligence, wisdom, virtue, pleasure, happiness, contemplation, life and death, to the question of money. The notions outlined are couched in practical language that will both educate readers and encourage them to think for themselves. Modern society neglects the development of the mind, but philosophy remains relevant and has practical applications for everyday living. Neel Burton has produced an outstanding introduction to philosophy that is subtle and yet profound. It was a captivating read and is highly recommended for those wishing to explore the topic.

The ancient world was home to several prominent philosophers whose thoughts have informed many of our ideas throughout the millennia. Regrettably, we've lost quite a few works from that time, including some from figures as influential as Aristotle. Among those lost works, we can find exhortations: texts in which the writer advises the reader on ways of thinking and living. One notable exhortation was written by Augustus, the first Roman emperor, and this is the subject of Neel Burton's Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy. The author aims to reconstruct the emperor's lost work based on his likely influences, goals, and information from other sources.

The book starts with a historical context focused on Augustus and Cicero, a politician, lawyer, and philosopher who likely influenced Augustus a lot. People interested in classical history, especially the inception of the Roman Empire, should enjoy this portion, which also brings those less familiar with the period up to speed. The exhortation comprises ten chapters, and each tackles a particular topic: justice, the purpose of life, the value of philosophy and philosophers, wisdom, virtue, etc. The text is presented as a dialogue between Augustus, his adopted grandsons Gaius and Lucius, the Stoic thinker Athenodorus Cananites, and the philosopher Dionysius, intended to impart lessons to Gaius and Lucius and help them become wise rulers. Neel Burton keeps the dialogue accessible by using simple language and making it relatively self-contained, addressing some of the main challenges people face when reading old texts (unfamiliar language and missing context). Whether you're fascinated by classical philosophy or looking for ancient wisdom, Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy is a must-read.

“Philosophy is not some abstract discipline, as many people think, but the medicine of the soul.” This sentiment is at the epicenter of the short book Augustus: Invitation To Philosophy: Ancient Wisdom by Dr. Neel Burton. While there is enough printed material about Rome's first emperor to fill a sizable library, according to Suetonius, Augustus wrote many books, including an exhortation to philosophy. If so, these books have not survived (except the autobiographical Res Gestae Divi Augusti). That does not mean Augustus did not pen an invitation to philosophy. Dr. Neel extrapolates from what we know about the emperor and offers a convincing recreation of this invitation, presented as a dialogue between Augustus, two philosophers (of different schools), and his grandsons (and adopted sons), Gaius and Lucius.

At its core, Augustus: Invitation To Philosophy by Dr. Neel Burton is a speculative body of work or perhaps even a flight of fancy. However, the motivation and messages in this book are of existential importance. Societal decline is acknowledged, and a convincing proposal to counter its effects via ancient ideas and philosophy is offered. As a stoic, I can only applaud this effort. Written in a (surprisingly) clean and eloquent style, I found the book compelling and persuasive. This easy-to-read compact book presents inescapable, harsh truths, and possible solutions are debated. Augustus: Invitation To Philosophy is not just for the historian or the philosopher, but anyone who seeks a spiritual way to make life better and more worthwhile.

What is philosophy, and when did it start? These are some of the questions that are addressed in Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy by Neel Burton. Augustus, who was related to Julius Caesar, is also philosophical. Augustus adopted Gaius and Lucius as his sons and was very keen to see they had a good education. As he engages them, we get to examine things like what makes matters of war and peace better or worse. The aspect of teaching is explored, and how a bad student can also impact the teacher. Justice is also explored and what it means for both the state and individuals. If the state is just, then the virtue cascades down to the citizens. Other things that affect citizens include nature, reason, and habit, which in turn are influenced by good laws.

Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy by Neel Burton is one of a kind. It did a great job of introducing philosophy to those who might be new to the subject. I loved the amazing dialogues between the various characters that were not just informative but also interesting, which made the book effective in passing on the intended message. This is a highly thought-provoking work that got me thinking about various societal issues, such as the responsibilities of citizens and the delicate balance between the relationship of the state and its citizens. Neel also made sure the language used was easy to understand, which made the work accessible to all kinds of readers. I look forward to reading something else by this author.

In Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy (Ancient Wisdom Series), Neel Burton presents a thought-provoking and engaging fictional discussion between four historical persons: the first Roman emperor Caesar Augustus, two philosophers from his imperial court who represent different schools of thought, and Augustus’s young grandsons Gaius and Lucius who were being prepared for their future imperial roles as Augustus’s adopted heirs. The discussion is set in Augustus’s house well into his reign and divided into ten sections that follow a pattern of questions or comments and responses. A preface and introduction provide the reader with historical and biographical context and frame the discussion in terms relevant to our modern lives. Burton suggests that we should “look afresh at these ancient ideas and find in them a happier way of living.” The current condition of our society and the rise in depression and unhappiness among our young people would seem to bear this out.

I enjoyed Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy. The dialog between the participants feels entirely natural. At times, Augustus warns his grandsons as any grandfather, especially an imperial one, might do. Their discussions briefly touch on important topics such as the qualifications of a ruler, the meaning of justice, the danger of ignorance, the encouragement of good habits, the love of truth, the value of reason and intelligence, the enjoyment of life, the best way to spend our time, the pursuit of wealth vs. the cultivation of the mind, and how the study of philosophy can provide practical benefits. One of my favorite quotes is that “a philosopher could easily be rich if only he did not have better things to do with his time.” Whether or not you have an interest in Roman history and ancient philosophy, this short read by Neel Burton is well worth your time.

In Augustus: Invitation to Philosophy by Neel Burton, the dialogue, set around 1 or 2 BCE, looks into the role of philosophy in governance and personal virtue through a recreated conversation between Augustus, his grandsons Gaius and Lucius, and advisors Athenodorus and Dionysius. The conversation leans into the necessity of wisdom for just rule, highlighting that knowledge alone is insufficient without an understanding of justice. They speak on philosophy as essential for understanding the world, cultivating virtue, and achieving happiness. They also talk about clemency, the soul’s relationship to the body, and the pursuit of wisdom as the highest form of happiness. Ultimately, the conversation positions philosophy as the "medicine of the soul," crucial for overcoming life's miseries and preparing for a virtuous life and death.

“To do philosophy is to reason correctly, and to reason correctly is to behave or act correctly.” Neel Burton's Augustus offers readers a unique and interesting fly-on-the-wall look into an ancient philosophical dialogue. Through engaging conversations between the Roman emperor Augustus, his heirs, and court philosophers, Burton digs into some of the most timeless questions, particularly on justice, wisdom, and leadership. The dramatic format is as creative as it is well crafted for its purpose, and I genuinely felt that the characters’ exchanges are not just a historical reenactment, but a mirror to contemporary concerns that are surprisingly relevant today. Burton's style of writing is intellectually stimulating but remains accessible to everyday readers, and I can easily see this being used with the aid of its described setting in live readings. Recommended.