Table of Contents

Augustus

Birth Name

Augustus was born as Gaius Octavius Thurinus on September 23, 63 BCE.1)

Adopted Son

He was posthumously adopted by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, in his will and took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, later known as Octavian.2)

First Emperor

Augustus is considered the first Roman emperor, ruling from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE.3)

Age of Power

He was only 19 years old when Julius Caesar was assassinated and he began his rise to power.4)

Second Triumvirate

Augustus formed the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus in 43 BCE to defeat Caesar’s assassins.5)

Battle of Philippi

Augustus and Antony defeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius, who were responsible for Caesar's assassination, at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE.6)

Conflict with Antony

Augustus eventually fell out with Mark Antony, leading to a civil war.7)

Battle of Actium

In 31 BCE, Augustus defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, leading to his sole rule over Rome.8)

Cleopatra’s Death

After their defeat, Cleopatra and Antony committed suicide, leaving Augustus the unchallenged ruler of Rome.9)

Title of Augustus

In 27 BCE, the Senate awarded him the title “Augustus,” meaning “the revered one,” marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.10)

Imperial Powers

Augustus held numerous titles and powers, including “Princeps” (First Citizen), “Imperator” (commander), and “Pontifex Maximus” (chief priest).11)

Pax Romana

His reign initiated the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire that lasted for over two centuries.12)

Moral Reforms

Augustus introduced laws aimed at moral reforms, including legislation against adultery and for the promotion of marriage and childbirth.13)

Res Gestae

He left behind an account of his achievements called the “Res Gestae Divi Augusti,” which was inscribed on monuments across the empire.14)

Mausoleum of Augustus

Augustus built a grand mausoleum in Rome, where he and other members of the imperial family were buried.15)

Building Program

Augustus famously claimed to have found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble, thanks to his extensive building projects.16)

Ara Pacis

He commissioned the Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) in Rome, which symbolized the peace and prosperity brought by his reign.17)

Succession Planning

Augustus carefully planned his succession, ultimately choosing his stepson, Tiberius, to follow him as emperor.18)

Livia Drusilla

He was married to Livia Drusilla for over 50 years, and she played a significant role in his reign.19)

Propaganda

Augustus used propaganda, including art, literature, and coinage, to promote his image and legitimize his rule.20)

Virgil’s Aeneid

The poet Virgil wrote the “Aeneid” during Augustus’ reign, which glorified Rome's origins and Augustus' leadership.21)

Julian Calendar

The Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar, was maintained during Augustus' reign and later became the basis for the Gregorian calendar.22)

Praetorian Guard

Augustus established the Praetorian Guard, an elite unit of soldiers tasked with protecting the emperor.23)

Senate Relations

Although Augustus held supreme power, he maintained the appearance of Republican governance by working closely with the Senate.24)

Family Tragedies

Augustus experienced several personal tragedies, including the early deaths of his heirs, Marcellus, Gaius, and Lucius Caesar.25)

Divine Status

After his death, Augustus was deified by the Roman Senate, becoming one of Rome’s “Divine Emperors.”26)

Coins and Portraits

Augustus’ image appeared on coins and statues across the empire, creating a unified imperial identity.27)

Agrippa

His close friend and general, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, was instrumental in many of Augustus' military and architectural successes.28)

Conquest of Egypt

After the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra, Egypt was annexed as a province, becoming Augustus’ personal property.29)

Provincial Reforms

Augustus reformed the administration of Rome’s provinces, creating a more efficient and centralized system of governance.30)

Religious Reforms

He revived traditional Roman religious practices and rebuilt numerous temples.31)

Military Achievements

Augustus expanded the Roman Empire, securing its borders and establishing new provinces in Spain, Gaul, and the Balkans.32)

Golden Age of Latin Literature

His reign is often referred to as the “Golden Age” of Latin literature, with writers like Virgil, Horace, and Ovid flourishing under his patronage.33)

Augustan Peace

The “Pax Augusta,” or Augustan Peace, became synonymous with the stability and prosperity of his reign.34)

Successor’s Reluctance

Tiberius, his successor, was reportedly reluctant to take on the role of emperor, preferring a more private life.35)

Senatorial Class

Augustus elevated the senatorial class and filled its ranks with loyal supporters to secure his position.36)

Iconography

Augustus was often depicted in military attire or in the guise of a god, emphasizing his role as Rome’s protector.37)

Augustales

He created a new priesthood, the Augustales, dedicated to the worship of his divine spirit.38)

Posthumous Honors

Augustus’ birthday, September 23, was celebrated annually as a national holiday throughout the empire.39)

Literary Censorship

While promoting literature, Augustus also imposed censorship, exiling poets like Ovid for works he considered immoral or subversive.40)

Military Diplomacy

Augustus often preferred diplomacy over direct military conquest, securing peace treaties with Parthia and other neighboring powers.41)

Augustus Prima Porta

One of the most famous statues of Augustus, the Augustus of Prima Porta, shows him as an idealized, youthful ruler, symbolizing his authority and divine favor.42)

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Augustus founded the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which ruled Rome for nearly a century.43)

Death

Augustus died on August 19, 14 CE, in Nola, near Naples, after ruling for 41 years, making him one of the longest-reigning Roman emperors.44)

Famous Last Words

His reported last words were, “I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble,” reflecting his transformative impact on the city. Another account claims his last words were to those around him: “Have I played my part well? Then applaud as I exit.”45)