Augustus: Head is a flash fiction works in response to the Meroe Head of Augustus which was exhibited at the Victoria Museum and Gallery in Liverpool earlier in the year.
Augustus: Head
He stands above us
Looking down
Piercing eyes
Looking through us to a greater existence
Baby-faced, framed with cropped curls
Winged ears arch out
The emperor to become God
‘I am your leader
I will conquer
You will support me’
Head of Augustus
Ruler, the time of Christ
Mediterranean made Empire
The riches of Egypt conquered.
Trophy head taken
Conquering Sudan
A one-eyed queen
Buried beneath Temple steps
Walked on
Trodden over
Belittled, degraded
The Conqueror was conquered
August is still August
A God he remains
The Empire has crumbled
But the Head still stands tall
Alison Little
More about the Meroe Head of Augustus
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