Augustus

Augustus (also known as Octavian) was the first emperor of ancient Rome. Augustus came to power after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE. In 27 BCE Augustus “restored” the republic of Rome, though he himself retained all real power as the princeps, or “first citizen,” of Rome. Augustus held that title until his death in 14 CE. Today he is remembered as one of the great administrative geniuses of Western history.

Yes! Julius Caesar was Augustus’s great-uncle—that is, Augustus’s mother’s mother’s brother. Caesar played a big role in Augustus’s early life. He introduced Augustus to Roman political life and took him on military campaigns and victory tours too. In his will Caesar formally adopted Augustus as his son and identified him as his chief personal heir.

After the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, Augustus joined forces with Caesar’s former chief lieutenant, Mark Antony, and his magister equitium (“master of the cavalry”), Marcus Lepidus, to form the Second Triumvirate of Rome. The Second Triumvirate did not last long. About 40 BCE Antony began a consequential love affair with Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. Shortly thereafter Lepidus fell from power, and Augustus waged war against Antony and Cleopatra. Augustus emerged victorious in 30 BCE.

Augustus brought peace (“Pax Romana”) to the Greco-Roman world. In 27 BCE he nominally restored the republic of Rome and instituted a series of constitutional and financial reforms that culminated in the birth of the principate. As princeps of Rome, Augustus enjoyed enormous popularity. He reformed the monetary system and significantly expanded Roman territory.

Augustus was no stranger to assassination plots. Fortunately, Augustus did not suffer the same fate as his adoptive father, Julius Caesar. Augustus died of natural causes on August 19, 14 CE, at age 75. He was immediately succeeded by his adopted son, Tiberius.