Italy 1937 Emperor Augustus, Bimillennial of Birth

In 1937, Augustus was printed on stamps across Italy as Mussolini’s way not only of commemorating the anniversary of his birth, but also thinking about Augustus’ influence on the culture and society of Italy. 

1937 marked 2000 years since the birth of Augustus, and in commemoration of this, there was an Augustan Exhibition of ‘Romanity’, set up in Italy as the 'Mostra Augustea Della Romanita'. An exhibition was set up consisting of more than 20 rooms dedicated to the history of Rome. 

This comes at a time when Mussolini had commissioned numerous archeological surveys and excavations across Rome and repurposed Augustan art and monuments to promote his own political agenda. Ultimately, Mussolini was trying to ally himself with Augustus, so that he was seen as a natural heir to the power of the Roman empire.