Full Name: Gaius Octavius
Profession: Roman Emperor
Biography: Augustus Caesar was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor. He ruled from 27 BC until his death in AD 14, making him Emperor of Rome at the time of Jesus Christ's birth.
Born Gaius Octavius, he became Julius Caesar's heir after Caesar's assassination. Octavius formed an alliance with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, known as the Second Triumvirate, and they defeated Caesar's assassins at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC.
Octavius later turned against Antony, defeating him and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. This victory made him the sole ruler of Rome. The Senate then granted him the title Augustus in 27 BC, marking the start of his reign as Emperor.
Augustus reformed Rome's government and military. He established a standing army and created the Praetorian Guard, a group of soldiers who protected the Emperor. He also improved Rome's infrastructure, building roads and reorganizing the tax system.
Under Augustus, the Roman Empire expanded. He added new territories and made peace with neighboring powers. This began a long period of relative peace and stability known as the Pax Romana.
Augustus adopted Tiberius as his successor after his chosen heirs died. He passed away in AD 14, leaving behind a transformed Roman state. His titles, Caesar and Augustus, became standard for future Roman emperors.
Born: September 23, 63 BC
Birthplace: Rome, Roman Republic
Star Sign: Libra
Articles and Photos
Married Life
- 0038-01-17 BC Roman Republican Leader Octavian, later Augustus 1st Roman Emperor, weds Livia Drusilla
Historical Events
- 0043-11-26 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leader Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony formed
- 0043-08-19 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul
- 0042-10-23 BC Roman Republican civil wars: Second Battle of Philippi - Brutus's army is decisively defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian. Brutus commits suicide.
- 0042-10-03 BC First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's assassins Brutus and Cassius.
- 0036-09-03 BC Battle of Naulochus: Admiral of Octavian, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa defeats son of Pompey, Sextus Pompeius, ending Pompeian resistance to the Second Triumvirate
- 0031-09-02 BC Battle of Actium: decisive naval battle that effectively ends the Roman Republic. Octavian's forces defeat those under Mark Antony and Cleopatra off the western coast of Greece.
- 0030-08-01 BC Octavian (later known as Augustus) enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Republic
- 0030-07-31 BC Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves minor victory over Octavian, but most of his army subsequently deserts, leading to Octavian's invasion of Egypt
- 0027-01-16 BC The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate
Antoninus Pius
Caracalla
Elagabalus
Hadrian
Julius Caesar
Livia