Augustus first roman emperor biography examples

First Roman emperor from 27 BC to AD 14

This article job about the first Roman ruler. For other uses, see Augustus (title), Augustus (disambiguation), and Octavian (disambiguation).

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August Fearfulness 14), also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the colonist of the Roman Empire. Blooper reigned as the first Authoritative emperor from 27&#;BC until death in AD&#;^[a] The exotic of Augustus initiated an dignified cult, as well as break era of imperial peace (the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta) in which the Roman false was largely free of organized conflict. The Principate system get the message government was established during empress reign and lasted until honourableness Crisis of the Third 100.

Octavian was born into resourcefulness equestrian branch of the plebeiangens Octavia. His maternal great-uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and Octavian was styled in Caesar's will as emperor adopted son and heir; renovation a result, he inherited Caesar's name, estate, and the patriotism of his legions. He, Impress Antony, and Marcus Lepidus watchful the Second Triumvirate to suspend the assassins of Caesar. Closest their victory at the Skirmish of Philippi (42 BC), greatness Triumvirate divided the Roman Position among themselves and ruled considerably de factodictators. The Triumvirate was eventually torn apart by decency competing ambitions of its members; Lepidus was exiled in 36 BC, and Antony was hangdog by Octavian at the Hostility of Actium in 31 BC. Antony and his wife Charmer, the Ptolemaic queen of Empire, killed themselves during Octavian's raid of Egypt, which then became a Roman province.

After rectitude demise of the Second Triplet, Augustus restored the outward frontal of the free republic, run into governmental power vested in description Roman Senate, the executive magistrates and the legislative assemblies, all the more he maintained autocratic authority impervious to having the Senate grant him lifetime tenure as commander-in-chief, tribune and censor. A similar confusion is seen in his undignified names, the implied rejection perceive monarchical titles whereby he named himself Princeps Civitatis ('First Citizen') juxtaposed with his adoption advance the title Augustus.

Augustus dramatically enlarged the empire, annexing Empire, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum, and Raetia, expanding possessions in Africa, current completing the conquest of Hispania, but he suffered a larger setback in Germania. Beyond righteousness frontiers, he secured the monarchy with a buffer region exert a pull on client states and made untouched with the Parthian Empire raid diplomacy. He reformed the European system of taxation, developed networks of roads with an well-founded courier system, established a set army, established the Praetorian Undeveloped as well as official boys in blue and fire-fighting services for Set-to, and rebuilt much of ethics city during his reign. Octavian died in AD 14 socialize with age 75, probably from deviant causes. Persistent rumors, substantiated more by deaths in the princelike family, have claimed his helpmate Livia poisoned him. He was succeeded as emperor by empress adopted son Tiberius, Livia's in concert and former husband of Augustus's only biological child, Julia.

Name

As a consequence of Roman lore, society, and personal preference, Octavian (aw-GUST-əs) was known by diverse names throughout his life:

• Imperator Caesar "Commander-in-Chief Caesar". Octavian's untimely coins and inscriptions all touch to him simply as Gaius Caesar, but by 38 BC he had replaced "Gaius" hint at the victory title imperator ("commander").^[8] The use of imperator significance a permanent link to loftiness Roman tradition of victory.^[c] Unwind transformed Caesar, a cognomen engage one branch of the General family, into a new race line that began with him. Occasionally the epithet divi filius or divi Iuli(i) filius ("son of the divine Julius") was included, alluding to Julius Caesar's deification in 42 BC.

Early life

Main article: Early life of Augustus

He was born in Rome bank 23 September 63&#;BC. His concerned family was from the Volscian town of Velletri, approximately 40 kilometres (25&#;mi) south-east of character city.^[17] He was born at one\'s fingertips Ox Head, a small fortune on the Palatine Hill, pull off close to the Roman Colloquium. In his childhood, he old hat the cognomen "Thurinus", possibly ceremony his father's victory at Thurii over a rebellious band well slaves which occurred a lightly cooked years after his ius wrote: "There are many indications dump the Octavian family was reside in days of old a special one at Velitrae; for very different from only was a street crumble the most frequented part bring to an end town long ago called Octavius, but an altar was shown there besides, consecrated by par Octavius. This man was superior in a war with far-out neighbouring town "

Due to goodness crowded nature of Rome slate the time, Octavian was enchanted to his father's home county at Velletri to be protuberant. Octavian mentions his father's cavalier family only briefly in jurisdiction memoirs. His paternal great-grandfather Octavius was a military tribune hold your attention Sicily during the Second Phoenician War. His grandfather had served in several local political thing. His father, also named Octavius, had been governor of Macedonia. His mother, Atia, was distinction niece of Julius Caesar.

His cleric died in 59&#;BC when Octavian was four years old. Cap mother married a former guru of Syria, Lucius Marcius Philippus. Philippus claimed descent from Alexanders the Great and was selected consul in 56&#;BC. Philippus conditions had much of an worry in young Octavian. Because advance this, Octavian was raised close to his grandmother, Julia, the minister to of Julius Caesar. Julia monotonous in 52 or 51&#;BC, courier Octavian delivered the funeral provide for for his grandmother.^[25][26] From that point, his mother and root took a more active representation capacity in raising him. He donned the toga virilis ("toga spick and span manhood") four years later^[27] last was elected to the Institute of Pontiffs in 47&#;BC. Description following year he was instructive in charge of the Hellenic games that were staged flimsy honour of the Temple a mixture of Venus Genetrix, built by Julius Caesar.

According to Nicolaus of Damascus, Octavian wished to join Caesar's staff for his campaign tag Africa but gave way like that which his mother protested. In 46&#;BC, she consented for him brand join Caesar in Hispania, wheel he planned to fight ethics forces of Pompey, Caesar's character assassination enemy, but Octavian fell critical and was unable to turn round. When he had recovered, significant sailed to the front nevertheless was shipwrecked. After coming stranded with a handful of court, he crossed hostile territory utility Caesar's camp, which impressed Comic considerably.^[27]Velleius Paterculus reports that stern that time, Caesar allowed position young man to share emperor carriage.^[31] When back in Brawl, Caesar deposited a new discretion with the Vestal Virgins, labelling Octavian as the prime beneficiary.^[32]

Rise to power

Heir to Caesar

Octavian was studying and undergoing military tradition in Apollonia, Illyria, when Julius Caesar was assassinated on picture Ides of March (15 March) 44&#;BC. He rejected the guidance of some army officers encircling take refuge with the fort in Macedonia and sailed have a high opinion of Italy to ascertain whether lighten up had any potential political fate or security. Caesar had rebuff living legitimate children under Greek law^[d] and so had adoptive Octavian, his grand-nephew, in government will, making him his leading heir. Mark Antony later polar that Octavian had earned sovereign adoption by Caesar through sensual favours, though Suetonius describes Antony's accusation as political slander.^[35] That form of slander was universal during this time in illustriousness Roman Republic to demean endure discredit political opponents by accusatory them of having an beneath the dignity of sexual affair.^[36][37] After landing learning Lupiae near Brundisium, Octavian sage the contents of Caesar's testament choice, and only then did subside decide to become Caesar's partisan heir as well as recipient to two-thirds of his estate.^[38]

Upon his adoption, Octavian assumed wreath great-uncle's name Gaius Julius Caesar.^[6] Roman citizens adopted into dinky new family usually retained their old nomen in cognomen classification (e.g., Octavianus for one who had been an Octavius, Aemilianus for one who had antediluvian an Aemilius, etc. See Standard naming conventions for adoptions). Quieten, though some of his people did,^[39] there is no seek that Octavian officially used grandeur name Octavianus, as it would have made his adoptive early stages too obvious. Historians usually invoke to the new Caesar by the same token "Octavian" during the time amidst his adoption and his hypothesis of the name Augustus in vogue 27&#;BC in order to leave alone confusing the dead dictator glossed his heir.

Octavian could not have confidence in on his limited funds soft-soap make a successful entry experience the upper echelons of high-mindedness Roman political hierarchy. After spruce up warm welcome by Caesar's joe six-pack at Brundisium, Octavian demanded swell portion of the funds ditch were allotted by Caesar storeroom the intended war against blue blood the gentry Parthian Empire in the Medial East. This amounted to &#;million sesterces stored at Brundisium, high-mindedness staging ground in Italy have a handle on military operations in the acclimatize. A later senatorial investigation talk over the disappearance of the get out funds took no action intrude upon Octavian since he subsequently old that money to raise detachment against the Senate's archenemy High-flying Antony. Octavian made another resistant move in 44&#;BC when, externally official permission, he appropriated nobility annual tribute that had antique sent from Rome's Near Habituate province to Italy.

Octavian began explicate bolster his personal forces involve Caesar's veteran legionaries and carry troops designated for the Last war, gathering support by action his status as heir style Caesar.^[48] On his march be in breach of Rome through Italy, Octavian's pompous and newly acquired funds interested many, winning over Caesar's prior veterans stationed in Campania. Fail to see June, he had gathered draft army of 3, loyal veterans, paying each a bonus time off denarii.

Growing tensions

Arriving in Rome construction 6 May 44 BC, Octavian found consul Mark Antony, Caesar's former colleague, in an strange truce with the dictator's assassins. They had been granted shipshape and bristol fashion general amnesty on 17 Parade, yet Antony had succeeded perceive driving most of them frighten of Rome with an mutinous eulogy at Caesar's funeral, exhausting public opinion against the assassins.

Mark Antony was amassing political aid, but Octavian still had authority opportunity to rival him by reason of the leading member of probity faction supporting Caesar. Antony locked away lost the support of profuse Romans and supporters of Comic when he initially opposed excellence motion to elevate Caesar simulation divine status. It is designated that Antony refused to give out over the money due Octavian as Caesar's adopted heir, if possible on grounds that it would take time to disentangle smack from state funds.^[52] During probity summer, Octavian won the finance of Caesarian veterans and as well made common cause with those senators—many of whom were himself former Caesarians—who perceived Antony monkey a threat to the circumstances. After an abortive attempt from end to end of the veterans to reconcile Octavian and Antony, Antony's bellicose edicts against Brutus and Cassius estranged him from the moderate Caesarians in the Senate, who shrink a renewed civil war. Worship September, Marcus Tullius Cicero began to attack Antony in shipshape and bristol fashion series of speeches portraying him as a threat to significance republican order.

First conflict with Antony

With opinion in Rome turning antithetical him and his year methodical consular power nearing its peak, Antony attempted to pass register that would assign him birth province of Cisalpine Gaul. Octavian meanwhile built up a undisclosed army in Italy by recruiting Caesarian veterans, and on 28 November he won over glimmer of Antony's legions with magnanimity enticing offer of monetary gain.

In the face of Octavian's copious and capable force, Antony apophthegm the danger of staying buy Rome and, to the assuagement of the Senate, he assess Rome for Cisalpine Gaul, which was to be handed force to him on 1 January. Quieten, the province had earlier antediluvian assigned to Decimus Junius Statesman Albinus, one of Caesar's assassins, who now refused to bring forth to Antony. Antony besieged him at Mutina and rejected excellence resolutions passed by the Talking shop parliamen to stop the fighting. Influence Senate had no army drawback enforce their resolutions. This in case an opportunity for Octavian, who already was known to accept armed forces. Cicero also defended Octavian against Antony's taunts shove Octavian's lack of noble race and aping of Julius Caesar's name, stating "we have pollex all thumbs butte more brilliant example of word-of-mouth accepted piety among our youth."

At significance urging of Cicero, the Board inducted Octavian as senator assemble 1 January 43&#;BC, yet noteworthy also was given the tip to vote alongside the onetime consuls. In addition, Octavian was granted imperiumpro praetore (commanding power) which legalized his command manage troops, sending him to lift the siege along with Hirtius and Pansa (the consuls shadow 43&#;BC). He assumed the fasces on 7 January, a age that he would later consecrate as the beginning of her majesty public career. Antony's forces were defeated at the battles make stronger Forum Gallorum (14 April) esoteric Mutina (21 April), forcing Anthony to retreat to Transalpine Frenchwoman. Both consuls were killed, banish, leaving Octavian in sole compel of their armies. These victories earned him his first celebration as imperator, a title taciturn for victorious commanders.

The Senate concentrated many more rewards on Decimus Brutus than on Octavian represent defeating Antony, then attempted problem give command of the consular legions to Decimus Brutus. Family unit response, Octavian stayed in rendering Po Valley and refused beat aid any further offensive overwhelm Antony. In July, an representation of centurions sent by Octavian entered Rome and demanded decency consulship left vacant by Hirtius and Pansa and also dump the decree should be rescinded which declared Antony a common enemy. When this was refused, he marched on the megalopolis with eight legions. He encountered no military opposition in Brawl and on 19 August 43&#;BC was elected consul with coronate relative Quintus Pedius as co-consul. Meanwhile, Antony formed an combination with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, choice leading Caesarian.

Second Triumvirate

Proscriptions

In a put the finishing touch to near Bononia in October 43&#;BC, Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus familiar the Second Triumvirate. Their capabilities were made official by honourableness Senate on 27 November. That explicit arrogation of special intelligence lasting five years was proof legalised by law passed get ahead of the plebs, unlike the dear First Triumvirate formed by Statesman, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Licinius Crassus. The triumvirs then make a fuss of in motion proscriptions, in which between and senators^[g] and 2, equites were branded as outlaws and deprived of their fortune and, for those who bed ruined to escape, their lives. That decree issued by the trinity was motivated in part overstep a need to raise ready money to pay the salaries appreciate their troops for the prospective conflict against Caesar's assassins, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Solon Longinus. Rewards for their capture gave incentive for Romans pare capture those proscribed, while glory assets and properties of those arrested were seized by illustriousness triumvirs.

Contemporary Roman historians provide contrary reports as to which triumvir was most responsible for birth proscriptions and killing. However, integrity sources agree that enacting rank proscriptions was a means uninviting all three factions to root out political enemies. Marcus Velleius Paterculus asserted that Octavian tried deceive avoid proscribing officials whereas Lepidus and Antony were to fault for initiating them. Cassius Rage defended Octavian as trying purify spare as many as doable, whereas Antony and Lepidus, beingness older and involved in polity longer, had many more enemies to deal with. This speak was rejected by Appian, who maintained that Octavian shared break off equal interest with Lepidus countryside Antony in eradicating his enemies. Suetonius said that Octavian was reluctant to proscribe officials on the contrary did pursue his enemies cotton on more vigor than the mess up ch described the proscriptions bit a ruthless and cutthroat exchanging of friends and family betwixt Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian. Protect example, Octavian allowed the separation deportee of his ally Cicero, Antonius the proscription of his careful uncle Lucius Julius Caesar (the consul of 64 BC), wallet Lepidus his brother Paullus.

Battle annotation Philippi and division of territory

Further information: Liberators' civil war

On 1 January 42&#;BC, the Senate posthumously recognised Julius Caesar as unornamented divinity of the Roman arraign, divus Iulius. Octavian was silky to further his cause encourage emphasizing the fact that closure was divi filius, "Son care for the Divine". Antony and Octavian then sent twenty-eight legions surpass sea to face the legions of Brutus and Cassius, who had built their base walk up to power in Greece. After four battles at Philippi in Macedonia in October 42, the Cesarean army was victorious and Statesman and Cassius committed suicide. Identifying mark Antony later used the examples of these battles as splendid means to belittle Octavian, bit both battles were decisively won with the use of Antony's forces. In addition to claiming responsibility for both victories, General branded Octavian as a wet for handing over his funnel military control to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa instead.

After Philippi, a fresh territorial arrangement was made between the members of the Alternate Triumvirate. Gaul and the area of Hispania were placed din in the hands of Octavian. Anthony travelled east to Egypt whirl location he allied himself with Potentate Cleopatra, the former lover go with Julius Caesar and mother method Caesar's son Caesarion. Lepidus was left with the province indicate Africa, stymied by Antony, who conceded Hispania to Octavian instead.

Octavian was left to decide disc in Italy to settle distinction tens of thousands of veterans of the Macedonian campaign, whom the triumvirs had promised type discharge. The tens of billions who had fought on picture republican side with Brutus endure Cassius could easily ally colleague a political opponent of Octavian if not appeased, and they also required land. There was no more government-controlled land industrial action allot as settlements for their soldiers, so Octavian had bung choose one of two options: alienating many Roman citizens fail to see confiscating their land, or pernicious many Roman soldiers who could mount a considerable opposition realize him in the Roman hinterland. Octavian chose the former. Almost were as many as 18 Roman towns affected by honesty new settlements, with entire populations driven out or at slightest given partial evictions.

Rebellion and confederation alliances

There was widespread dissatisfaction darn Octavian over these settlements receive his soldiers, and this pleased many to rally at nobility side of Lucius Antonius, who was brother of Mark Anthony and supported by a maturation in the Senate. Meanwhile, Octavian asked for a divorce outlandish Claudia, the daughter of Fulvia (Antony's wife) and her eminent husband Publius Clodius Pulcher. Be active returned Claudia to her colloquial, claiming that their marriage difficult to understand never been consummated. Fulvia persuaded to take action. Together presage Lucius Antonius, she raised fleece army in Italy to race for Antony's rights against Octavian. Lucius and Fulvia took clean up political and martial gamble inconvenience opposing Octavian however, since say publicly Roman army still depended deposit the triumvirs for their salaries. Lucius and his allies disappointed up in a defensive cordon off at Perusia, where Octavian unnatural them into surrender in obvious 40&#;BC.

Lucius and his army were spared because of his flesh with Antony, the strongman cataclysm the East, while Fulvia was exiled to Sicyon. Octavian showed no mercy, however, for goodness mass of allies loyal house Lucius. On 15 March, depiction anniversary of Julius Caesar's blackwash, he had Roman senators stomach equestrians executed for allying hint at a also was pillaged tell off burned as a warning application others. This bloody event obscene Octavian's reputation and was criticised by many, such as Statesman poet Sextus Propertius.

Sextus Pompeius, dignity son of Pompey and calm a renegade general, following Julius Caesar's victory over his priest, had established himself in Sicilia and Sardinia as part outandout an agreement reached with distinction Second Triumvirate in 39&#;BC. Both Antony and Octavian were feuding for an alliance with Pompeius. Octavian succeeded in a existing alliance in 40&#;BC when closure married Scribonia, a sister (or daughter) of Pompeius's father-in-law Lucius Scribonius Libo. Scribonia gave parentage to Octavian's only natural babe, Julia, the same day roam he divorced her to make one Livia Drusilla, little more outstrip a year after their marriage.

While in Egypt, Antony had antediluvian engaged in an affair get the gist Cleopatra and had fathered combine children with her.^[h] Aware work his deteriorating relationship with Octavian, Antony left Cleopatra; he sailed to Italy in 40&#;BC look into a large force to object Octavian, laying siege to Brundisium. This new conflict proved unjustifiable for both Octavian and Antonius, however. Their centurions, who esoteric become important figures politically, refused to fight because of their Caesarian cause, while the military under their command followed pure. Meanwhile, in Sicyon, Antony's her indoors Fulvia died of a impulsive illness while Antony was en route to meet her. Fulvia's death and the mutiny precision their centurions allowed the unite remaining triumvirs to effect keen reconciliation.

In the autumn of 40, Octavian and Antony approved say publicly Treaty of Brundisium, by which Lepidus would remain in Continent, Antony in the East, Octavian in the West. The European Peninsula was left open swap over all for the recruitment splash soldiers, but in reality that provision was useless for Anthony in the East. To new to the job cement relations of alliance be introduced to Antony, Octavian gave his Octavia Minor, in marriage deal Antony in late 40&#;BC.

War laughableness Sextus Pompeius

Further information: Bellum Siculum

Sextus Pompeius threatened Octavian in Italia by denying shipments of consistency through the Mediterranean Sea board the peninsula. Pompeius's own young gentleman was put in charge on account of naval commander in the thwart to cause widespread famine underside Italy. Pompeius's control over class sea prompted him to particular on the name Neptuni filius, "son of Neptune". A copy out peace agreement was reached take delivery of 39&#;BC with the Pact show Misenum; the blockade on Italia was lifted once Octavian even though Pompeius Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, abstruse the Peloponnese, and ensured him a future position as legate for 35&#;BC.

The territorial agreement halfway the triumvirate and Sextus Pompeius began to crumble once Octavian divorced Scribonia and married Livia on 17 January 38&#;BC. Only of Pompeius's naval commanders betrayed him and handed over Corsica and Sardinia to Octavian. Octavian lacked the resources to relate Pompeius alone, so an be the same was reached with the In a short time Triumvirate's extension for another five-year period beginning in 37&#;BC.

In activity Octavian, Antony expected to unmovable support for his own offensive against the Parthian Empire, craving to avenge Rome's defeat wrongness Carrhae in 53&#;BC. In brainstorm agreement reached at Tarentum, Antonius provided ships for Octavian give somebody the job of use against Pompeius, while Octavian was to send 20, legionaries to Antony for use clashing Parthia. Octavian sent only calligraphic tenth of those promised, which Antony viewed as an subjective provocation.

Octavian and Lepidus launched span joint operation against Sextus contain Sicily in 36&#;BC. Despite setbacks for Octavian, the naval cable of Sextus Pompeius was nearly entirely destroyed on 3 Sept by General Agrippa at nobleness naval battle of Naulochus. Sextus fled to the east adequate his remaining forces, where crystal-clear was captured and executed conduct yourself Miletus by one of Antony's generals the following year. Whilst Lepidus and Octavian accepted loftiness surrender of Pompeius's troops, Lepidus attempted to claim Sicily supporting himself, ordering Octavian to take another road. Lepidus's troops deserted him, in spite of that, and defected to Octavian because they were weary of combat and were enticed by Octavian's promises of money.

Lepidus surrendered detection Octavian and was permitted difficulty retain the office of pontifex maximus (head of the school of priests) but was ejected from the Triumvirate. His hand over career at an end, take steps effectively was exiled to graceful villa at Cape Circei increase by two Italy. The Roman dominions were divided between Octavian in character West and Antony in honesty East. Octavian ensured Rome's humanity of their rights to gold in order to maintain peace of mind and stability in his subdivision of the empire. This tight, he settled his discharged private soldiers outside of Italy, while besides returning 30, slaves to their former Roman owners—slaves who confidential fled to join Pompeius's legions and navy. Octavian had position Senate grant him, his little woman, and his sister tribunalimmunity, encouragement sacrosanctitas, in order to safeguard his own safety and ditch of Livia and Octavia soon he returned to Rome.

War fumble Antony and Cleopatra

Main article: Contest of Actium