Augustus and Capri

      Part of the territory of Neapolis, Capri was a political dependent of the city until the arrival of Octavian - the future Emperor Augustus. Strabo recounts that in the years following the battle of Actium (31 BC), Octavian was so enchanted with Capri that he gave the Neapolitans the island of Ischia in exchange for his favourite island, making this latter his private property and beginning large-scale building work. However, although the island of Capri remained the Emperor's favourite destination until his death in 14 AD, it never became his home. History records the close relationship between Augustus and the island, its inhabitants and its traditions. In fact, Suetonius tells of the Emperor's habit of participating in parties organized by the island's youth and promoting an institution - the ephebia - of clearly Greek origin. Suetonius also confirms Augustus' interest in decorating the villas of Capri with the bones of prehistoric animals and articles from ancient times - items probably found on Capri, given the importance of the island during prehistoric times, during the considerable building activity of the Emperor himself. As the private property of the imperial family, the island's social and economic fabric underwent considerable change. In fact, ancient inscriptions show the presence of both emancipated slaves and statesmen following the Emperor. However these social and economic changes were not accompanied by any transformation of the cultural profile. In fact, many inscriptions show that the Greek language continued to be used up until the 4th century AD.