One of the most successful emperors in ancient Rome, Caesar Augustus oversaw the country's transition from a republic to an empire. Augustus transformed almost every element of Roman life while in power, bringing prosperity and peace back to the Roman state.
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| Augustus Caesar of Rome. (63 BCE - 14 CE) |
Caesar Augustus was born Gaius Octavius in 63 BCE. He fought alongside his great-uncle Julius Caesar in 47 BCE. Augustus so impressed his great-uncle during battle that Julius Caesar, upon his assassination in 43 BCE, had named Augustus as heir to his political and personal fortune in his will. At the age of 19, Augustus accepted the inheritance from Caesar's will and was immediately thrust into the complex world of Roman politics, quickly forging strategic alliances, defeating his political rivals, and winning a bloody civil war. In 31 BCE, Augustus defeated his rival Mark Antony and his Egyptian fleet during the Battle of Actium.
When Augustus arrived back in Rome, he was hailed as a hero. With dexterity, expediency, and cunning, he established himself as Rome's first Emperor. Augustus asserted that he acted not out of self-interest but rather for the glory of the Roman Republic. He made an appeal to the people of Rome by saying he lived a simple and thrifty life.
Roman life was restructured by Augustus across the empire. He enacted legislation to promote stable marriages and revive religious customs. He increased the length of the Roman road network and imposed a tax and census system. In Rome, he established a regular police force, fire brigade, and postal service.
In the sixth century CE, Augustus grew the empire by annexing Judea, parts of Spain, Egypt, and regions of central and eastern Europe. An immense trading network was encouraged to flourish by these additions as well as the cessation of civil conflicts.
In the fourteenth century CE, Augustus passed away outside of Naples, Italy. The corpse was brought back to the capital. In a show of profound respect for the emperor, businesses were closed on the day of his funeral. Augustus was a visionary and skilful ruler, and the Senate declared him a Roman god at the time of his death.
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| Augustus Caesar. |
“I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble.” -Augustus Caesar.
