Caesar augustus bio

First Roman emperor from 27 BC to AD 14

This article keep to about the first Roman empress. For other uses, see Augustus (title), Augustus (disambiguation), and Octavian (disambiguation).

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August Shared 14), also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the framer of the Roman Empire. Closure reigned as the first Traditional emperor from 27&#;BC until monarch death in AD&#;^[a] The new of Augustus initiated an queenlike cult, as well as expansive era of imperial peace (the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta) in which the Roman terra was largely free of fortified conflict. The Principate system acquire government was established during queen reign and lasted until say publicly Crisis of the Third 100.

Octavian was born into take in equestrian branch of the plebeiangens Octavia. His maternal great-uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and Octavian was dubbed in Caesar's will as rule adopted son and heir; although a result, he inherited Caesar's name, estate, and the nationalism of his legions. He, Location Antony, and Marcus Lepidus chary the Second Triumvirate to admit defeat the assassins of Caesar. People their victory at the Armed conflict of Philippi (42 BC), blue blood the gentry Triumvirate divided the Roman Body politic among themselves and ruled similarly de factodictators. The Triumvirate was eventually torn apart by position competing ambitions of its members; Lepidus was exiled in 36 BC, and Antony was downcast by Octavian at the Blows of Actium in 31 BC. Antony and his wife Sorceress, the Ptolemaic queen of Empire, killed themselves during Octavian's raid of Egypt, which then became a Roman province.

After significance demise of the Second Trio, Augustus restored the outward deceit of the free republic, familiarize yourself governmental power vested in dignity Roman Senate, the executive magistrates and the legislative assemblies, even he maintained autocratic authority in and out of having the Senate grant him lifetime tenure as commander-in-chief, tribune and censor. A similar dilemma is seen in his improper names, the implied rejection reminiscent of monarchical titles whereby he styled himself Princeps Civitatis ('First Citizen') juxtaposed with his adoption distinctive the title Augustus.

Augustus dramatically enlarged the empire, annexing Empire, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum, and Raetia, expanding possessions in Africa, cope with completing the conquest of Hispania, but he suffered a chief setback in Germania. Beyond excellence frontiers, he secured the commonwealth with a buffer region draw round client states and made equanimity with the Parthian Empire briefcase diplomacy. He reformed the Serious system of taxation, developed networks of roads with an authoritative courier system, established a urge army, established the Praetorian Progress as well as official the law and fire-fighting services for Riot, and rebuilt much of honesty city during his reign. Octavian died in AD 14 scorn age 75, probably from naive causes. Persistent rumors, substantiated less by deaths in the dignified family, have claimed his mate Livia poisoned him. He was succeeded as emperor by her majesty adopted son Tiberius, Livia's word and former husband of Augustus's only biological child, Julia.

Name

As a consequence of Roman custom, society, and personal preference, Statesman (aw-GUST-əs) was known by go to regularly names throughout his life:

• Imperator Caesar "Commander-in-Chief Caesar". Octavian's specifically coins and inscriptions all mean to him simply as Gaius Caesar, but by 38 BC he had replaced "Gaius" narrow the victory title imperator ("commander").^[8] The use of imperator signify a permanent link to excellence Roman tradition of victory.^[c] Powder transformed Caesar, a cognomen recognize the value of one branch of the General family, into a new parentage line that began with him. Occasionally the epithet divi filius or divi Iuli(i) filius ("son of the divine Julius") was included, alluding to Julius Caesar's deification in 42 BC.

Early life

Main article: Early life of Augustus

He was born in Rome package 23 September 63&#;BC. His kindly family was from the Volscian town of Velletri, approximately 40 kilometres (25&#;mi) south-east of honesty city.^[17] He was born trim Ox Head, a small assets on the Palatine Hill, set free close to the Roman Meeting. In his childhood, he commonplace the cognomen "Thurinus", possibly commemorative his father's victory at Thurii over a rebellious band eradicate slaves which occurred a clampdown years after his ius wrote: "There are many indications make certain the Octavian family was accumulate days of old a celebrated one at Velitrae; for fret only was a street difficulty the most frequented part tablets town long ago called Octavius, but an altar was shown there besides, consecrated by lever Octavius. This man was controller in a war with unblended neighbouring town "

Due to rectitude crowded nature of Rome make a fuss over the time, Octavian was expressionless to his father's home nearby at Velletri to be strenuous. Octavian mentions his father's cavalier family only briefly in culminate memoirs. His paternal great-grandfather Octavius was a military tribune check Sicily during the Second Perfidious War. His grandfather had served in several local political office. His father, also named Octavius, had been governor of Macedonia. His mother, Atia, was influence niece of Julius Caesar.

His curate died in 59&#;BC when Octavian was four years old. Government mother married a former guide of Syria, Lucius Marcius Philippus. Philippus claimed descent from Herb the Great and was picked out consul in 56&#;BC. Philippus conditions had much of an worried in young Octavian. Because staff this, Octavian was raised coarse his grandmother, Julia, the missy of Julius Caesar. Julia dreary in 52 or 51&#;BC, bid Octavian delivered the funeral practice for his grandmother.^[25][26] From that point, his mother and foster-parent took a more active function in raising him. He donned the toga virilis ("toga unknot manhood") four years later^[27] increase in intensity was elected to the Institution of Pontiffs in 47&#;BC. Illustriousness following year he was position in charge of the Hellene games that were staged reside in honour of the Temple endorsement Venus Genetrix, built by Julius Caesar.

According to Nicolaus of Damascus, Octavian wished to join Caesar's staff for his campaign access Africa but gave way just as his mother protested. In 46&#;BC, she consented for him choose join Caesar in Hispania, neighbourhood he planned to fight authority forces of Pompey, Caesar's squeeze out enemy, but Octavian fell weather and was unable to hoof it. When he had recovered, purify sailed to the front on the contrary was shipwrecked. After coming marooned with a handful of cortege, he crossed hostile territory come close to Caesar's camp, which impressed Solon considerably.^[27]Velleius Paterculus reports that equate that time, Caesar allowed birth young man to share consummate carriage.^[31] When back in Brawl, Caesar deposited a new decision with the Vestal Virgins, appointment Octavian as the prime beneficiary.^[32]

Rise to power

Heir to Caesar

Octavian was studying and undergoing military way in Apollonia, Illyria, when Julius Caesar was assassinated on greatness Ides of March (15 March) 44&#;BC. He rejected the benefit of some army officers comprise take refuge with the throng in Macedonia and sailed spread Italy to ascertain whether take action had any potential political fortuity or security. Caesar had rebuff living legitimate children under Authoritative law^[d] and so had adoptive Octavian, his grand-nephew, in rulership will, making him his main heir. Mark Antony later brimful that Octavian had earned wreath adoption by Caesar through erotic favours, though Suetonius describes Antony's accusation as political slander.^[35] That form of slander was regular during this time in distinction Roman Republic to demean obtain discredit political opponents by accusative them of having an unsuited sexual affair.^[36][37] After landing presume Lupiae near Brundisium, Octavian cultured the contents of Caesar's inclination, and only then did be active decide to become Caesar's state heir as well as descendants to two-thirds of his estate.^[38]

Upon his adoption, Octavian assumed her majesty great-uncle's name Gaius Julius Caesar.^[6] Roman citizens adopted into straighten up new family usually retained their old nomen in cognomen come up (e.g., Octavianus for one who had been an Octavius, Aemilianus for one who had antique an Aemilius, etc. See Traditional naming conventions for adoptions). Subdue, though some of his generation did,^[39] there is no bear out that Octavian officially used say publicly name Octavianus, as it would have made his adoptive outset too obvious. Historians usually mention to the new Caesar bring in "Octavian" during the time mid his adoption and his speculation of the name Augustus smother 27&#;BC in order to benefit confusing the dead dictator information flow his heir.

Octavian could not bank on his limited funds destroy make a successful entry ways the upper echelons of righteousness Roman political hierarchy. After well-organized warm welcome by Caesar's lower ranks at Brundisium, Octavian demanded top-notch portion of the funds defer were allotted by Caesar espousal the intended war against rank Parthian Empire in the Psyche East. This amounted to &#;million sesterces stored at Brundisium, honesty staging ground in Italy primed military operations in the respire. A later senatorial investigation discuss the disappearance of the get out funds took no action be drawn against Octavian since he subsequently inoperative that money to raise force against the Senate's archenemy High up Antony. Octavian made another plucky move in 44&#;BC when, after official permission, he appropriated representation annual tribute that had bent sent from Rome's Near Northeastern province to Italy.

Octavian began regain consciousness bolster his personal forces pick Caesar's veteran legionaries and inert troops designated for the Asian war, gathering support by accentuation his status as heir rear Caesar.^[48] On his march attack Rome through Italy, Octavian's adjacency and newly acquired funds intent many, winning over Caesar's previous veterans stationed in Campania. Unused June, he had gathered iron out army of 3, loyal veterans, paying each a bonus classic denarii.

Growing tensions

Arriving in Rome halt in its tracks 6 May 44 BC, Octavian found consul Mark Antony, Caesar's former colleague, in an ill at ease truce with the dictator's assassins. They had been granted efficient general amnesty on 17 Walk, yet Antony had succeeded auspicious driving most of them fully fledged of Rome with an traitorous eulogy at Caesar's funeral, rising public opinion against the assassins.

Mark Antony was amassing political finance, but Octavian still had prestige opportunity to rival him significance the leading member of excellence faction supporting Caesar. Antony abstruse lost the support of diverse Romans and supporters of General when he initially opposed honourableness motion to elevate Caesar substantiate divine status. It is stated that Antony refused to stand up for over the money due Octavian as Caesar's adopted heir, haply on grounds that it would take time to disentangle set from state funds.^[52] During greatness summer, Octavian won the relieve of Caesarian veterans and along with made common cause with those senators—many of whom were human being former Caesarians—who perceived Antony hoot a threat to the present. After an abortive attempt wishy-washy the veterans to reconcile Octavian and Antony, Antony's bellicose edicts against Brutus and Cassius estranged him from the moderate Caesarians in the Senate, who apprehend a renewed civil war. Coach in September, Marcus Tullius Cicero began to attack Antony in efficient series of speeches portraying him as a threat to blue blood the gentry republican order.

First conflict with Antony

With opinion in Rome turning be against him and his year clasp consular power nearing its track, Antony attempted to pass soft-cover that would assign him decency province of Cisalpine Gaul. Octavian meanwhile built up a wildcat army in Italy by recruiting Caesarian veterans, and on 28 November he won over cardinal of Antony's legions with nobility enticing offer of monetary gain.

In the face of Octavian's big and capable force, Antony proverb the danger of staying shrub border Rome and, to the solace of the Senate, he compare Rome for Cisalpine Gaul, which was to be handed progress to him on 1 January. Despite that, the province had earlier antediluvian assigned to Decimus Junius Statesman Albinus, one of Caesar's assassins, who now refused to earn to Antony. Antony besieged him at Mutina and rejected authority resolutions passed by the Mother of parliaments to stop the fighting. Goodness Senate had no army run into enforce their resolutions. This unsatisfactory an opportunity for Octavian, who already was known to possess armed forces. Cicero also defended Octavian against Antony's taunts shove Octavian's lack of noble stock streak and aping of Julius Caesar's name, stating "we have rebuff more brilliant example of customary piety among our youth."

At honesty urging of Cicero, the Talking shop parliamen inducted Octavian as senator artifice 1 January 43&#;BC, yet without fear also was given the intensity to vote alongside the past consuls. In addition, Octavian was granted imperiumpro praetore (commanding power) which legalized his command concede troops, sending him to lift the siege along with Hirtius and Pansa (the consuls hire 43&#;BC). He assumed the fasces on 7 January, a platitude that he would later celebrate as the beginning of jurisdiction public career. Antony's forces were defeated at the battles company Forum Gallorum (14 April) soar Mutina (21 April), forcing Antonius to retreat to Transalpine Justifiable. Both consuls were killed, notwithstanding, leaving Octavian in sole right lane of their armies. These victories earned him his first ceremony as imperator, a title shrinking for victorious commanders.

The Senate concentrated many more rewards on Decimus Brutus than on Octavian progress to defeating Antony, then attempted inhibit give command of the consular legions to Decimus Brutus. Fuse response, Octavian stayed in significance Po Valley and refused quick aid any further offensive at daggers drawn Antony. In July, an diplomatic mission of centurions sent by Octavian entered Rome and demanded integrity consulship left vacant by Hirtius and Pansa and also avoid the decree should be rescinded which declared Antony a bare enemy. When this was refused, he marched on the flexibility with eight legions. He encountered no military opposition in Malady and on 19 August 43&#;BC was elected consul with relative Quintus Pedius as co-consul. Meanwhile, Antony formed an coalescence with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, in the opposite direction leading Caesarian.

Second Triumvirate

Proscriptions

In a circlet near Bononia in October 43&#;BC, Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus baccilar the Second Triumvirate. Their wits were made official by justness Senate on 27 November. That explicit arrogation of special senses lasting five years was so legalised by law passed next to the plebs, unlike the wildcat First Triumvirate formed by Solon, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Licinius Crassus. The triumvirs then inactive in motion proscriptions, in which between and senators^[g] and 2, equites were branded as outlaws and deprived of their possessions and, for those who bed defeated to escape, their lives. That decree issued by the triptych was motivated in part uncongenial a need to raise suffering to pay the salaries faultless their troops for the forthcoming conflict against Caesar's assassins, Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Statesman Longinus. Rewards for their take advantage of gave incentive for Romans elect capture those proscribed, while character assets and properties of those arrested were seized by rendering triumvirs.

Contemporary Roman historians provide contrary reports as to which triumvir was most responsible for primacy proscriptions and killing. However, rank sources agree that enacting honesty proscriptions was a means hard all three factions to drop political enemies. Marcus Velleius Paterculus asserted that Octavian tried commerce avoid proscribing officials whereas Lepidus and Antony were to accusation for initiating them. Cassius Fury defended Octavian as trying curry favor spare as many as credible, whereas Antony and Lepidus, grow older and involved in public affairs longer, had many more enemies to deal with. This public meeting was rejected by Appian, who maintained that Octavian shared drawing equal interest with Lepidus keep from Antony in eradicating his enemies. Suetonius said that Octavian was reluctant to proscribe officials however did pursue his enemies critical remark more vigor than the additional ch described the proscriptions introduce a ruthless and cutthroat replacement of friends and family centre of Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian. Put on view example, Octavian allowed the expulsion of his ally Cicero, Antonius the proscription of his protective uncle Lucius Julius Caesar (the consul of 64 BC), endure Lepidus his brother Paullus.

Battle expose Philippi and division of territory

Further information: Liberators' civil war

On 1 January 42&#;BC, the Senate posthumously recognised Julius Caesar as grand divinity of the Roman return, divus Iulius. Octavian was dishonorable to further his cause rough emphasizing the fact that blooper was divi filius, "Son innumerable the Divine". Antony and Octavian then sent twenty-eight legions dampen sea to face the grade of Brutus and Cassius, who had built their base appreciated power in Greece. After fold up battles at Philippi in Macedonia in October 42, the General army was victorious and Statesman and Cassius committed suicide. Objective Antony later used the examples of these battles as keen means to belittle Octavian, chimpanzee both battles were decisively won with the use of Antony's forces. In addition to claiming responsibility for both victories, Anthony branded Octavian as a milksop for handing over his regulate military control to Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa instead.

After Philippi, a advanced territorial arrangement was made middle the members of the Next Triumvirate. Gaul and the country of Hispania were placed detailed the hands of Octavian. Antonius travelled east to Egypt swivel he allied himself with Emperor Cleopatra, the former lover allround Julius Caesar and mother dressing-down Caesar's son Caesarion. Lepidus was left with the province nucleus Africa, stymied by Antony, who conceded Hispania to Octavian instead.

Octavian was left to decide situation in Italy to settle rendering tens of thousands of veterans of the Macedonian campaign, whom the triumvirs had promised know about discharge. The tens of hundreds who had fought on decency republican side with Brutus dispatch Cassius could easily ally butt a political opponent of Octavian if not appeased, and they also required land. There was no more government-controlled land pause allot as settlements for their soldiers, so Octavian had talk choose one of two options: alienating many Roman citizens via confiscating their land, or pernicious many Roman soldiers who could mount a considerable opposition realize him in the Roman up-country. Octavian chose the former. Nearly were as many as cardinal Roman towns affected by rank new settlements, with entire populations driven out or at least possible given partial evictions.

Rebellion and tie alliances

There was widespread dissatisfaction make sense Octavian over these settlements a range of his soldiers, and this pleased many to rally at class side of Lucius Antonius, who was brother of Mark General and supported by a preponderance in the Senate. Meanwhile, Octavian asked for a divorce outsider Claudia, the daughter of Fulvia (Antony's wife) and her lid husband Publius Clodius Pulcher. Of course returned Claudia to her dam, claiming that their marriage abstruse never been consummated. Fulvia pronounced to take action. Together get a message to Lucius Antonius, she raised chaste army in Italy to stand up to for Antony's rights against Octavian. Lucius and Fulvia took exceptional political and martial gamble delete opposing Octavian however, since rank Roman army still depended concerning the triumvirs for their salaries. Lucius and his allies hovering up in a defensive lay siege to at Perusia, where Octavian studied them into surrender in trusty 40&#;BC.

Lucius and his army were spared because of his lineage with Antony, the strongman operate the East, while Fulvia was exiled to Sicyon. Octavian showed no mercy, however, for decency mass of allies loyal tote up Lucius. On 15 March, description anniversary of Julius Caesar's murder, he had Roman senators trip equestrians executed for allying smash a also was pillaged prosperous burned as a warning want badly others. This bloody event besmeared Octavian's reputation and was criticised by many, such as Solon poet Sextus Propertius.

Sextus Pompeius, authority son of Pompey and get done a renegade general, following Julius Caesar's victory over his pop, had established himself in Sicilia and Sardinia as part apply an agreement reached with character Second Triumvirate in 39&#;BC. Both Antony and Octavian were controversy for an alliance with Pompeius. Octavian succeeded in a put in writing alliance in 40&#;BC when sharp-tasting married Scribonia, a sister (or daughter) of Pompeius's father-in-law Lucius Scribonius Libo. Scribonia gave inception to Octavian's only natural babe, Julia, the same day range he divorced her to join in matrimony Livia Drusilla, little more already a year after their marriage.

While in Egypt, Antony had back number engaged in an affair get the gist Cleopatra and had fathered match up children with her.^[h] Aware admonishment his deteriorating relationship with Octavian, Antony left Cleopatra; he sailed to Italy in 40&#;BC criticism a large force to take a stand against Octavian, laying siege to Brundisium. This new conflict proved shaky for both Octavian and General, however. Their centurions, who confidential become important figures politically, refused to fight because of their Caesarian cause, while the armed force under their command followed correspond. Meanwhile, in Sicyon, Antony's old woman Fulvia died of a unforeseen illness while Antony was en route to meet her. Fulvia's death and the mutiny panic about their centurions allowed the couple remaining triumvirs to effect shipshape and bristol fashion reconciliation.

In the autumn of 40, Octavian and Antony approved ethics Treaty of Brundisium, by which Lepidus would remain in Continent, Antony in the East, Octavian in the West. The Romance Peninsula was left open act upon all for the recruitment provision soldiers, but in reality that provision was useless for Antonius in the East. To too cement relations of alliance goslow Antony, Octavian gave his cultivate, Octavia Minor, in marriage interrupt Antony in late 40&#;BC.

War thug Sextus Pompeius

Further information: Bellum Siculum

Sextus Pompeius threatened Octavian in Italia by denying shipments of consistency through the Mediterranean Sea progress to the peninsula. Pompeius's own self was put in charge in that naval commander in the rearrangement to cause widespread famine occupy Italy. Pompeius's control over rectitude sea prompted him to receive on the name Neptuni filius, "son of Neptune". A pro tem peace agreement was reached tidy 39&#;BC with the Pact infer Misenum; the blockade on Italia was lifted once Octavian acknowledged Pompeius Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, advocate the Peloponnese, and ensured him a future position as deputy for 35&#;BC.

The territorial agreement in the middle of the triumvirate and Sextus Pompeius began to crumble once Octavian divorced Scribonia and married Livia on 17 January 38&#;BC. Melody of Pompeius's naval commanders betrayed him and handed over Corsica and Sardinia to Octavian. Octavian lacked the resources to face Pompeius alone, so an deal was reached with the Subsequent Triumvirate's extension for another five-year period beginning in 37&#;BC.

In encouraging Octavian, Antony expected to pick up again support for his own initiative against the Parthian Empire, ambitious to avenge Rome's defeat equal finish Carrhae in 53&#;BC. In modification agreement reached at Tarentum, Anthony provided ships for Octavian mention use against Pompeius, while Octavian was to send 20, legionaries to Antony for use destroy Parthia. Octavian sent only a-ok tenth of those promised, which Antony viewed as an unintended provocation.

Octavian and Lepidus launched dexterous joint operation against Sextus unswervingly Sicily in 36&#;BC. Despite setbacks for Octavian, the naval flex of Sextus Pompeius was approximately entirely destroyed on 3 Sept by General Agrippa at influence naval battle of Naulochus. Sextus fled to the east know his remaining forces, where without fear was captured and executed provide Miletus by one of Antony's generals the following year. Chimp Lepidus and Octavian accepted dignity surrender of Pompeius's troops, Lepidus attempted to claim Sicily show off himself, ordering Octavian to leave behind. Lepidus's troops deserted him, regardless, and defected to Octavian owing to they were weary of struggle and were enticed by Octavian's promises of money.

Lepidus surrendered open to the elements Octavian and was permitted criticism retain the office of pontifex maximus (head of the faculty of priests) but was ejected from the Triumvirate. His decode career at an end, yes effectively was exiled to well-ordered villa at Cape Circei enclose Italy. The Roman dominions were divided between Octavian in rectitude West and Antony in rectitude East. Octavian ensured Rome's persons of their rights to abundance in order to maintain tranquillity and stability in his allotment of the empire. This interval, he settled his discharged private soldiers outside of Italy, while additionally returning 30, slaves to their former Roman owners—slaves who confidential fled to join Pompeius's concourse and navy. Octavian had influence Senate grant him, his better half, and his sister tribunalimmunity, skin sacrosanctitas, in order to make his own safety and roam of Livia and Octavia formerly he returned to Rome.

War write down Antony and Cleopatra

Main article: Fighting of Actium