'Augustus' 2000th Anniversary Banned

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 2, 25 September 1937, Page 13

'Augustus' 2000th Anniversary Banned

ROME. — -I'ascist Italy is celebrating this year-' the -two-thousandth anniversary of the birth of Augustus, first em-; peror of Rome. A committee composed of noted Italian archaeologists, " his'torians savants was appointed some years ago to prepare an eiaborate ■ programme, which will begin officially in September with the opening of an Augustan Exposition. . v . .. . This celebration has been divided into material, artistic, literary, historical and political sections, and the' pro-. grammes are intended to impress on theItalian people the fact that Rome, after 2000 years, is cnco more the capital'of an empire. , The material division includes : the restoration of buildings and monuments identified with tho reign of Augustus.' On this work architects, archaeologists and town planners have been hpsy for the past three years. The artistic section Is concerned with the statues, handcrafts and decorative work of the period. Tho literary celebration is intended to t prOmote propaganda in favour of a revival of - tha Latin language. On the . historical, side. the Italian people arb to bo made awaro of ■' their national inheritance. The political division will be an attempt to liken the-influence of Eascist Italy ou Europe to the Pax Romana of Augustus.