Ramp to Domus Augusti

You are immediately, politely but definitely, stopped by a guard. He suggests that you return to the forecourt since you have no reason for approaching the House of Augustus. As you turn to leave, you think that this house, though splendid, is very modest compared to the elaborate palaces erected by later emperors. However, you notice that the door and facade bear special marks of honor. Two lofty laurel trees, so closely associated with Apollo, flank the doorway, and over the door you notice a representation of the corona civica (an oak leaf crown traditionally awarded to soldiers who had saved a comrade's life in battle). You remember then that the Senate had voted to award the civic crown in 27 BCE to Augustus ob civis servatos ("for saving all the citizens"); this coin of Augustus depicts the door of his residence flanked by laurel trees with the crown above. As you observe the gleaming armor of the military trophies set prominently in front of the Domus Augusti, you think wryly that although politics rather than war was Augustus's strength, several excellent generals working under him brought plenty of military glory to his regime.