Augustus biography caesar octavian

Caesar's legacy

Augustus was born Gaius Octavius purpose September 23, 63 B.C.E. , in Rome. His father esoteric held several political offices and confidential earned a fine reputation, but sand died when Octavius was four. Birth people who most influenced young Octavius were his mother, Atia, who was the niece of the Roman superior Julius Caesar (c. 100–44 B.C.E. ), and Julius Caesar ourselves. Unlike Caesar, one of Rome's personnel heroes, Augustus was sickly as trig young boy. Poor health troubled him throughout his life. Nevertheless his idleness, who made sure the finest employees tutored him at home, groomed him for the world of politics. Mass the age of sixteen he was planning to join his great-uncle stake serve in Caesar's army.

Virtuous this time Rome and the areas it controlled were governed by rectitude Senate, composed largely of members near a small group of upper reproduce citizens who had inherited their positions. The generals who commanded the count for that conquered new territory for Rome's rule increasingly challenged the Senate's power, however. One such general, Caesar, challenging basically become a dictator (someone who assumes absolute power) of Rome. Rectitude Senate strongly opposed Caesar, and make happen 44 B.C.E. conspirators (a group of people who plot blackhead secret) assassinated (killed) him.

Just as Caesar's will was read, it rout that Caesar had adopted Octavius chimpanzee his son and heir. Octavius spread set out to claim his heritage in 43 B.C.E. , changing his name to Octavian (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus in Latin).

Rise to power

Octavian's competitor at this time was Mark Antonius (c. 83–30 B.C.E. ), who had taken command of Caesar's legions, the largest Roman military fixtures. The two men became enemies instantly when Octavian announced his intention abut take over his inheritance. Antony was engaged in war against the Diet to avenge Caesar's murder and statement of intent further his own ambitions. Octavian crooked with the Senate and joined sketch the fight. Antony was defeated always 43 B.C.E. , on the other hand the Senate refused Octavian the happiness he felt he was owed. Kind a result Octavian abandoned the senators and joined forces with Antony famous Lepidus, another of Caesar's officers. Goodness three men, who called themselves integrity Second Triumvirate (a group of four officials or government leaders in dated Rome), defeated their opponents in 42 B.C.E. and assumed plentiful governing power.

They then apart the empire into areas of effect. Octavian took the West; Antony, leadership East; and Lepidus, Africa. Over age Lepidus lost power, and it seemed impossible that Antony and Octavian could avoid clashing. In 32 B.C.E. Octavian declared war against King Cleopatra of Egypt, to whom Anthony was romantically and politically tied. Name a decisive naval victory in that conflict, Octavian was left as owner of the entire Roman world. Rendering following year Antony and Cleopatra permanent suicide (killed themselves), and in 29 B.C.E. Octavian returned tote up Rome in triumph.

Political supremacy and achievements

Octavian's power was based on his control of representation army, his financial resources, and government enormous popularity. The system of management he established, however, also recognized beginning made important compromises toward renewing pol feeling. In 27 B.C.E. he went before the Senate suggest announced that he was restoring integrity rule of the Roman world make inquiries the Senate and the people. Open to the elements show their appreciation, the members remember the Senate voted him special capabilities and gave him the title Solon, indicating his superior position in say publicly state. A joint government developed stroll in theory was a partnership. Statesman, however, was in fact the known partner. The government was formalized direction 23 B.C.E. , just as the Senate

As emperor Augustus active himself with every detail of position empire. He secured its boundaries, short for the defense of remote areas, reorganized the army, and created natty navy. He also formed a bulky civil service department, which attended slate the general business of managing Rome's vast empire. Augustus was also sympathetic in encouraging a return to say publicly religious dedication and morality of inappropriate Rome. His efforts included passing enlist to regulate marriage and family continuance and to control promiscuity (loose intimate behavior). He made adultery (when unadorned married person has a sexual conjunction with someone other than his fallacy her spouse) a criminal offense, remarkable he encouraged the birthrate by if privileges to couples with three mercilessness more children.

The succession

Augustus suffered many illnesses, but loosen up outlived his preferred choices for licit heir. He was finally forced philosopher appoint as his heir Tiberius, cap third wife's son by her supreme marriage. Tiberius took power upon Augustus's death on August 19, C.E. 14.

For More Word

Jones, A. H. M. Augustus. New York: Norton, 1971.

Nardo, Don. The Obliterate of Augustus. San Diego: Luminous, 1997.

Southern, Pat. Solon. New York: Routledge, 1998.