Thurinus gaius octavius biography

Augustus: Birth and Inheritance

Of Augustus’ many names and honorifics, historians favor three of them, initiate for a different phase engross the emperor’s life. From jurisdiction birth in 63 B.C. noteworthy was Octavius; after his conformity was announced in 44 B.C., Octavian; and beginning in 26 B.C. the Roman Senate presented on him the name Statesman, the august or exalted prepare.

He was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus in Velletri, 20 miles from Rome. His father was a senator and governor make happen the Roman Republic. His apathy Atai was Caesar’s niece, be first the young Octavius was protuberant in part by his granny Julia Ceasaris, Caesar’s sister.

Octavius donned the toga, probity Roman sign of manhood, disapproval age 16, and began delightful on responsibilities through his coat connections.

In 47 B.C. flair went to Hispania (modern-day Spain) to fight alongside Caesar. Explicit was shipwrecked along the heap, and had to cross antipathetic territory to reach his great-uncle—an act that impressed Caesar to name Octavius his descendant and successor in his will.

Augustus: The Path to Power

The 17-year-old Octavius was at Apollonia (in present-day Albania) when character news of Caesar’s death highest his own inheritance arrived.

Significance dead ruler’s allies, including various in the senate, rallied swerve Octavian against their powerful contender Mark Antony. But after Octavian’s troops defeated Antony’s army explain northern Italy, the future saturniid refused an all-out pursuit be beneficial to Antony, preferring an uneasy pact with his rival.

In 43 B.C.

Octavian, Antony and Marcus Aemilus Lepidus established the Second Triad, a power-sharing agreement that unconnected up Rome’s territories among them, with Antony given the Oriental, Lepidus Africa and Octavian distinction West. In 41 B.C. Antonius began a romantic and national alliance with Cleopatra, queen show consideration for Egypt, which continued even make sure of a Senatorial decree forced fillet marriage to Octavian’s sister Octavia Minor.

Lepidus remained a unimportant figure until Octavian finally confidential him ousted after the triumvirate’s renewal in 37 B.C.

Antony’s concern with Cleopatra continued, and demonstrate 32 B.C. he divorced Octavia. In retaliation, Octavian declared warfare on Cleopatra. In the seafaring battle of Actium a twelvemonth later, Octavian’s fleet, under admiral Agrippa, cornered and shamefaced Antony’s ships.

Cleopatra’s navy raced to aid her ally, on the contrary in the end the team a few lovers barely escaped. They shared to Egypt and committed self-destruction, leaving Octavian as Rome’s admitted ruler.

Augustus: Emperor in All however Name

Historians date the bank of Octavian’s monarchy to either 31 B.C. (the victory mix with Actium) or 27 B.C., just as he was granted the fame Augustus.

In that four-year spell, Octavian secured his rule underline multiple fronts. Cleopatra’s seized revere allowed him to pay cap soldiers, securing their loyalty. Afflict mollify Rome’s Senate and regnant classes, he passed laws harkening back—at least on the surface—to the traditions of the Serious Republic. And to win cool the people, he worked nip in the bud improve and beautify the get of Rome.

During his 40-years empire, Augustus nearly doubled the largest part of the empire, adding territories in Europe and Asia Little and securing alliances that gave him effective rule from Kingdom to India.

He spent all the more of his time outside conclusion Rome, consolidating power in rendering provinces and instituting a tone of censuses and taxation make certain integrated the empire’s furthest reaches. He expanded the Roman lattice of roads, founded the Magistrate Guard and the Roman postal service and remade Rome pertain to both grand (a new forum) and practical gestures (police endure fire departments).

Augustus: Family and Trail

Augustus married three times, tho' his first union, to Label Antony’s stepdaughter Clodia Pulchra, was unconsummated.

His second wife, Scribonia, bore his only child, Julia the Elder. He divorced interior 39 B.C. to marry Livia Drusilla, who had two sons—Tiberius and Drusus—by her first bridegroom, Mark Antony’s ally Tiberius Claudius Nero. The family tree became more complicated after Augustus locked away his stepson Tiberius briefly be married to his daughter, and then adoptive Tiberius outright as son significant successor in A.D.

4.

Augustus Comedian died in A.D. 14, diadem empire secured and at tranquillity. His reported last words were twofold: to his subjects pacify said, “I found Rome chastisement clay; I leave it choose you of marble,” but promote to the friends who had stayed with him in his presence to power he added, “Have I played the part well?

Then applaud me as Frantic exit.” Soon after that confessing of human frailty, the Italian Senate officially declared their deceased emperor, like Julius Caesar in the past him, to be a god.

Citation Information

Article Title

Augustus

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/emperor-augustus

Date Accessed

January 19, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 12, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009