Augustus (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) was the first and one of the most important Roman Emperors. He led Rome in its transition from a Republic to a great Empire.
Life
- Octavian, as he was originally called, was the adopted son of the dictator of the Roman Republic, Gaius Julius Caesar. Octavian came into power in the Second Triumvirate. This was three men ruling over the Roman Republic. The other triumvirs were Mark Antony and Lepidus.
- All three were loyal to Julius Caesar, the assassinated dictator, killed in 44 BC. Following his death a civil war broke out across Rome, between those loyal to Caesar, and the conspirators, led by two of Caesar's killers, Brutus and Cassius.
- At first, Octavian was the junior partner in the triumvirate. Lepidus was more experienced in government, and Mark Antony was a fine military leader. The triumvirate defeated Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi, 42 BC, largely due to Antony's leadership. Then they split the leadership of the Republic three ways. Antony took the east, Lepidus took spain and part of North Africa, and Octavian took Italy.
- Antony followed in Caesar's footsteps by going to Egypt and becoming Cleopatra's lover. They had three children together. His absence from Rome allowed the intelligent Octavian to build up support.
- The triumvirate broke up in 33 BC, and disagreement turned to civil war in 31 BC. Antony was defeated by Octavian at the naval Battle of Actium and then at Alexandria. He committed suicide, as did his lover, Cleopatra VII of Egypt, in 30 BC.
- After winning this bloody power struggle, Octavian was voted as Emperor by the Senate following the battle of Actium in 31 BC. He took the name "Augustus" (which meant 'exalted'). He ruled until AD 14, when his stepson and son-in-law Tiberius became Emperor in his place.
- During his reign, some of those who were against his government were murdered (especially those senators who wanted to keep the Roman Republic). He promised to make Rome a Republic again, but instead proclaimed himself High Priest (Pontifex Maximus). Many temples in the provinces set up statues of him as one of their gods. The name of the month "August" in English (and most other European languages) comes from him. His main accomplishment was the creation of the Roman Empire, a political structure that lasted for nearly five centuries more. He first recruited and set up the Praetorian Guard.
Ancient Sources
- Historians often use the Res Gestae Divi Augusti as a source about Augustus. It was written by him as an inscription for his tomb which recorded all his achievements.
- The historian Tacitus is very often used by historians as it gives the an anti-Augustan perspective whereas many other sources and histories were written about Augustus very positively (propaganda). An example of writers like these is Valleys Paterculus, Virgil, Ovid. The most fameous work of Augustan propaganda is the aeneid
- Cassius Dio presents a quite impartial account of Augustus as emperor.
