Final answer:
Augustus' building program did not include building an opulent palace for himself; instead, he focused on monumental architecture and providing public services.
Therefore, the correct answer is: option D) Built an opulent palace for himself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of Augustus' building program in Rome that is not true is that he built an opulent palace for himself.
Augustus initiated a massive building program in Rome, which introduced several key elements to Roman architecture. These projects included establishing parameters and scale for later imperial buildings, standardizing column sizes, and bringing a new richness of materials.
However, instead of building an opulent palace for himself, Augustus focused on monumental forms like the Ara Pacis that would serve to reinforce the ideological messages tied to the restoration of the republic and his role as princeps.
His program also aimed at providing jobs, winning over the masses with bread and circuses, and reinforcing public services such as the Praetorian Guard and the fire department.