Augustus Caesar Rome’s First Emperor - kyrene.org...• Octavian was victorious at the Battle of Actium. This civil war and eventual victory by Octavian broke what remained of the

Augustus CaesarRome’s First Emperor

63BC-14AD

“I found Rome a city of clay, and left it a city of marble”

KEY QUESTION: Based on the evidence provided, what type of ruler was Augustus?

Early Life of Augustus

• Born “Gaius Octavius”, his family called him “Octavii”

• History commonly refers to him as Octavian during his early years

• Born into Plebian household, became Patrician because of his connection to Julius Caesar (great-uncle).

• Caesar would later adopt Octavian as his son

• Grew up with formal aristocratic training: learned Latin and Greek

• Julius Caesar appointed Octavian as a Prefect of Rome at age 15

• A Prefect would serve as Roman Consul in times of a Consul’s absence.

• Julius Caesar nominated Octavian to become the Master of the Horse (2nd most powerful position in Rome)

• But Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.

Rise to Power

• Julius Caesar’s Will: I will adopt Octavian as my son and he will become my heir. All of my estate and power belongs to him

• Octavian changed his name to Gaius Julius Caesar Divi Filius (which translates to : Son of God) and raised a private army

• Forms a Second Triumvirate with Caesar’s main political allies, Marc Antony and a senator named Marcus Lepidus. This triumvirate defeats Julius Caesar’s assassins at the Battle of Philippi

• During his ascension to power he killed anyone who posed a political threat to him

• Wanting more power, another Roman Civil War broke out between Octavian and Marc Antony/Lepidus

• Marc Antony and Lepidus sided with allies from Egypt which included the last Pharaoh of Egypt, Cleopatra VII

• Octavian was victorious at the Battle of Actium. This civil war and eventual victory by Octavian broke what remained of the Roman Republic

In 27 B.C.E., Octavian established himself as sole ruler of Rome. Rome now became a form of monarch led by an emperor with absolute power who would serve for life.

Octavian changed his name to Augustus Caesar. Augustus means, “The Exalted One.”

Augustus referred to himself as the First Citizen of Rome