He was also, despite his hearty constitution, set back by illness in 23 B.C., but this ultimately helped his rule rather than hurt it as it allowed other leaders in Rome to gain prestige and honor while leaving Augustus's power largely intact. He overcame the first challenge through military prowess and the second challenge through political ingenuity, crafting public works such as the temple containing the famous Res Gestae of Augustus. The most crucial challenges Augustus faced were during his rise to power, when he was challenged by Mark Antony and Lepidus for rule of the empire, and then viewed as a potential tyrant by the people and the senate. Poetry and architecture also flourished under Augustus. He remodeled Roman civil services and rebuilt much of Rome as part of public projects, even appointing a fire-fighting service consisting of 3,500 men. This act set a precedent, to some degree, for the practice of what we know as 'imperialism' today.
First, he consolidated the boundaries and stretched the extent of the empire by strengthening its army and sending large amounts of military personnel abroad. He decided to share power with the Senate and, in return, the Senate,declared his new title Augustus, the title by which we know him today.Īs the first official emperor of arguably the most powerful Western empire in history, Augustus contributed much to the history of the Roman Empire and the world at large. Shortly thereafter, Octavian was effectively in control of the new Roman Empire, which had been a Republic for almost five Centuries prior. Ultimately, the triumvirate crumbled when Octavian defeated Mark Antony in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Through a series of struggles by being elected a Roman Consul (one of the leaders of Rome), Octavian eventually joined them as one of the three co-rulers of Rome, deemed as the "first triumvirate," at the age of 19. Upon Octavian's return, Mark Antony and Lepius, two of Caesar's subordinates, had seized control of power in Rome. Rise to PowerĪugustus, while destined for greatness in the military, only returned to proper politics when Julius Caesar, effectively his adoped father, was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius on the "ides of March" in 44 B.C. This had much to do with his upbringing in a country town as opposed to the large city of Rome. Growing up, Octavian excelled in military practice and planning, and he was characterized by a combination of a natural conservatism and political ambition. According to some sources, Julius Caesar named Octavian his son by way of adoption. Atia was Julius Caesar's niece, making Octavianus (thereafter Octavian) the heir of Julius Caesar, the imperator of Rome at that time. in Rome, to Atia (his mother) and Octavius (his father).
O sol pulcher, o laudande! Caesarem recepimus, Et corona triumphali honoratum vidimus.Augustus was born as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus on September 23, 63 B.C.
Legiones viam sacram totam complent strepitu, Capitolinumque collem scandit Caesar in curru. Gaius Iulius Caesar noster, imperator, pontifex, Primum praetor, deinde consul, nunc dictator, moxque rex.Įn victores procedentes, laeti floribus novis, Magna praeda sunt potiti et captivis plurimis.Įxsultantes magna voce Io triumphe! concinunt, Dum auratum ante currum victa oppida ferunt. Robertson, 1931)Įcce Caesar nunc triumphat qui subegit Galliam, Civiumque multitudo celebrat victoriam. IULII CAESARIS CANTICUM (“Caesar’s Triumph ” J.C. Roma, 15 marzo 44 a.C.) è stato un militare, politico, console, dittatore, pontefice massimo, oratore e. “Caesar’s Triumph,” by Rubens (after Mantegna). Gaio Giulio Cesare (in latino: Gaius Iulius Caesar, AFI: a.i.us iu.li.us ka.sar nelle epigrafi C·IVLIVS♼·F♼AESAR e DIVVS IVLIVS in greco antico:, Gáïos Iúlios Kaîsar Roma, 13 luglio 101 a.C.