The man who made an empire63 B.C.E - 14 C.E

Octavian Caser was the grand nephew of Julius Caesar

Octavian spent time with Julius, while Julius was on campaign in Hispania (46 B.C.E)

After this time Julius would secretly name Octavian to be his sole heir

44 B.C.E Julius is assassinated and Octavian learns he is the sole heir of Julius

Octavian After Julius

Octavian quickly moved to secure his title as heir to Julius Caesar

Julius’ legions pledge their loyalty to Octavian

Since Octavian is only 18 he is often underestimated by his rivals

Octavian is able to rally enough troops around him to form the 2nd triumvirate with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus

This triumvirate is protected for 5 years by law

The three men would split the empire: Octavian = Rome Antony = Egypt Lepidus = Hispania and Africa

This would eventually create an East West divide West = Octavian East = Antony

The rivalry would grow causing a civil war

The 2nd Triumvirate

Antony would ditch his marriage to Octavian's sister in favor of Cleopatra

Octavian would invade the Eastern part of the empire in order to subdue Antony and become master of all of Rome

The war would be quickly decided at the battle of Actium, Octavian would be the overwhelming winner

Octavian Becomes Augustus

Octavian took control of both Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire after Actium in 31 B.C.E

Octavian was granted the title Augustus meaning from the Latin word “to increase”

Octavian would rule as the undisputed leader of Rome until his death

The arms of the Roman Republic still existed, but were now beholden to the decisions of the “emperor”

Augustus Caesar would be the term used to define ever Roman Emperor for the next 14 centuries

Augustus would begin the Pax Romana a 150 year period of peace and prosperity

Commissioned several important buildings including the Pantheon “found Rome brick and left it marble”

Revenue reform helped pay for Roman bills for the next several centuries