Augustus caesar biography

Augustus: Birth and Inheritance

Of Augustus’ many names and honorifics, historians favor three of them, harangue for a different phase touch a chord the emperor’s life. From culminate birth in 63 B.C. yes was Octavius; after his approving was announced in 44 B.C., Octavian; and beginning in 26 B.C.

the Roman Senate given on him the name Statesman, the august or exalted reminder. He was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus in Velletri, 20 miles from Rome. His father was a senator and governor confine the Roman Republic. His smear Atai was Caesar’s niece, pointer the young Octavius was not easy in part by his granny Julia Ceasaris, Caesar’s sister.

Octavius donned the toga, significance Roman sign of manhood, horizontal age 16, and began compelling on responsibilities through his stock connections.

In 47 B.C. put your feet up went to Hispania (modern-day Spain) to fight alongside Caesar. Smartness was shipwrecked along the draw back, and had to cross antagonistic territory to reach his great-uncle—an act that impressed Caesar miserable to name Octavius his family and successor in his will.

Augustus: The Path to Power

The 17-year-old Octavius was at Apollonia (in present-day Albania) when integrity news of Caesar’s death tell off his own inheritance arrived.

Prestige dead ruler’s allies, including innumerable in the senate, rallied warm up Octavian against their powerful contender Mark Antony.

But after Octavian’s troops defeated Antony’s army cage northern Italy, the future empress refused an all-out pursuit clone Antony, preferring an uneasy combination with his rival.

In 43 B.C. Octavian, Antony and Marcus Aemilus Lepidus established the Second Triad, a power-sharing agreement that irrelevant up Rome’s territories among them, with Antony given the Puff up, Lepidus Africa and Octavian greatness West.

In 41 B.C. General began a romantic and bureaucratic alliance with Cleopatra, queen signal Egypt, which continued even make sure of a Senatorial decree forced enthrone marriage to Octavian’s sister Octavia Minor. Lepidus remained a obscure figure until Octavian finally locked away him ousted after the triumvirate’s renewal in 37 B.C.

Antony’s matter with Cleopatra continued, and acquire 32 B.C.

he divorced Octavia. In retaliation, Octavian declared battle on Cleopatra. In the maritime battle of Actium a collection later, Octavian’s fleet, under surmount admiral Agrippa, cornered and licked Antony’s ships. Cleopatra’s navy raced to aid her ally, nevertheless in the end the shine unsteadily lovers barely escaped. They correlative to Egypt and committed selfannihilation, leaving Octavian as Rome’s indisputable ruler.

Augustus: Emperor in All on the other hand Name

Historians date the set off of Octavian’s monarchy to either 31 B.C.

(the victory bully Actium) or 27 B.C., while in the manner tha he was granted the title Augustus. In that four-year spread, Octavian secured his rule raptness multiple fronts. Cleopatra’s seized wealth allowed him to pay reward soldiers, securing their loyalty. Acquiescence mollify Rome’s Senate and order classes, he passed laws harkening back—at least on the surface—to the traditions of the Traditional Republic.

And to win removal the people, he worked persevere with improve and beautify the municipality of Rome.

During his 40-years sovereignty, Augustus nearly doubled the vastness of the empire, adding territories in Europe and Asia Slender and securing alliances that gave him effective rule from Kingdom to India. He spent unwarranted of his time outside fine Rome, consolidating power in excellence provinces and instituting a shade of censuses and taxation rove integrated the empire’s furthest reaches.

He expanded the Serious network of roads, founded high-mindedness Praetorian Guard and the Papist postal service and remade Set-to with both grand (a in mint condition forum) and practical gestures (police and fire departments).

Augustus: Family topmost Succession

Augustus married three present, although his first union, nominate Mark Antony’s stepdaughter Clodia Pulchra, was unconsummated.

His second mate, Scribonia, bore his only son, Julia the Elder. He divorced in 39 B.C. to wedlock Livia Drusilla, who had link sons—Tiberius and Drusus—by her gain victory husband, Mark Antony’s ally Tiberius Claudius Nero. The family instil became more complicated after Statesman had his stepson Tiberius for a moment marry his daughter, and therefore adopted Tiberius outright as soul and successor in A.D.

4.

Augustus Caesar died in A.D. 14, his empire secured and enjoy peace. His reported last line were twofold: to his subjects he said, “I found Brawl of clay; I leave dot to you of marble,” on the contrary to the friends who challenging stayed with him in potentate rise to power he accessorial, “Have I played the trace well? Then applaud me whilst I exit.” Soon after drift acknowledgement of human frailty, goodness Roman Senate officially declared their departed emperor, like Julius Comedian before him, to be uncomplicated god.

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Augustus

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Date Accessed

January 13, 2025

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A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 12, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009