To me it is clear from the poem that his primary historical concern was actually the traumatic memory of the civil wars and the subsequent subversion of Rome’s Republican institutions,

Propaganda played a significant role in Roman politics and Augustus both understood and valued its importance in gaining the favour of the populus. Alongside monuments and Augustus’s own work, the Res Gestae, Virgil’s Aeneid was one of the most influential pieces of literary propaganda in circulation.

how the poet made use of idealism in his depictions of character, war, love, and politics

poetically historicised the greatness of Augustus and how Augustus’s eventual rule over Rome was a divinely ordained fate.

Hinc Augustus agens Italos in proelia Caesar cum patribus populoque, penatibus et magnis dis, 680stans celsa in puppi; geminas cui tempora flammas laeta vomunt patriumque aperitur vertice sidus.

Hinc Augustus agens Italos in proelia Caesar cum patribus populoque, penatibus et magnis dis, 680stans celsa in puppi; geminas cui tempora flammas laeta vomunt patriumque aperitur vertice sidus. Parte alia ventis et dis Agrippa secundis arduus agmen agens; cui, belli insigne superbum, tempora navali fulgent rostrata corona.

For the shield's central glory could be seen great fleets of brazen galleys, and the fight at Actium; where, ablaze with war's array, Leucate's peak glowed o'er the golden tide. Caesar Augustus led Italia's sons to battle: at his side concordant moved Senate and Roman People, with their gods of hearth and home, and all Olympian Powers.

Augustus Caesar, kindred unto Jove. He brings a golden age; he shall restore Old Saturn's sceptre to our Latin land, And o'er remotest Garamant and Ind His sway extend; the fair dominion outruns th' horizon planets, yea, beyond The sun's bright path, where Atlas' shoulder bears Yon dome of heaven set thick with burning stars. Against his coming the far Caspian shores Break forth in oracles; the Maeotian land Trembles, and all the seven-fold mouths of Nile.

But thou, 0 Roman, learn with sovereign sway To rule the nations. Thy great art shall be To keep the world in lasting peace, to spare humbled foe, and crush to earth the proud.”

aurea condet saecula qui rursus Latio regnata per arva