This volume investigates the tension between the perceived classicism of Augustan Rome and the persistent, often overlooked, presence of the paradoxical and the marvellous in its cultural output. Philip Hardie, a distinguished scholar of Latin literature, compiles a collection of essays that challenge the traditional view of Augustan culture as purely defined by balance and harmony. By analyzing poetry, historical prose, and visual arts, the contributors argue that an appreciation for the extraordinary and the contradictory was a vital, albeit unclassical, component of the era's creative identity.

Scholars in the field of Roman studies recognize this volume as a significant contribution to the re-evaluation of Augustan aesthetics. The text is noted for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize diverse artistic and literary mediums into a cohesive argument.