Pleasure and Ambition: The Life, Loves and Wars of Augustus the Strong

Augustus the Strong of Saxony’s life was consumed by two addictions: the relentless pursuit of power and the no less relentless pursuit of pleasure. From his accession as Elector of Saxony in 1694 he pursued political power and glory by fighting the Ottoman Turks, purchasing the Polish throne and warring against Sweden. By seeking to attach parts of the Ottoman, Swedish and Habsburg domains to his Saxon realm Augustus’ aim was eventually to supplant the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperors. But his hedonistic lifestyle continually distracted him and when finally defeated in 1707, he found himself back in Saxony fornicating and plotting revenge.