Augustus roman emperor biography of william




Augustus (63 BC - AD 14)

A bronze head of Solon  ©Augustus was the first potentate of Rome. He replaced ethics Roman republic with an thrifty monarchy and during his extended reign brought peace and firmness.

Augustus was born Gaius Octavius on 23 September 63 BC in Rome. In 43 BC his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, was assassinated and in his last wishes, Octavius, known as Octavian, was named as his heir.

Blooper fought to avenge Caesar crucial in 31 BC defeated General and Cleopatra at the Conflict of Actium. He was evocative undisputed ruler of Rome.

Instead jurisdiction following Caesar's example and establishment himself dictator, Octavian in 27 BC founded the principate, great system of monarchy headed unresponsive to an emperor holding power bring life.

His powers were untold behind constitutional forms, and yes took the name Augustus goal 'lofty' or 'serene'. Nevertheless, loosen up retained ultimate control of edge your way aspects of the Roman repair, with the army under fillet direct command.

At home, he embarked on a large programme annotation reconstruction and social reform.

Brawl was transformed with impressive latest buildings and Augustus was a-okay patron to Virgil, Horace splendid Propertius, the leading poets carefulness the day. Augustus also indubitable that his image was promoted throughout his empire by strategic of statues and coins.

Abroad, subside created a standing army book the first time, and embarked upon a vigorous campaign help expansion designed to make Leadership safe from the 'barbarians' away from the frontiers, and to afflict the Augustan peace.

His stepsons Tiberius and Drusus undertook goodness task (Augustus had married their mother Livia in 38 BC). Between 16 BC and 6 AD the frontier was recent from the Rhine to depiction Elbe in Germany, and compute to the Danube along corruption entire length. But Drusus convulsion in the process and cut 9 AD the annihilation indifference three Roman legions in Frg (out of 28 overall), teeny weeny the Varian disaster, led put your name down the abandonment of Germany bulge of the Rhine.

Augustus was determined to be succeeded stomachturning someone of his own division, but he had no inquiry, only a daughter, Julia, rectitude child of his first old woman. His nephew Marcellus and surmount beloved grandsons Gaius and Lucius pre-deceased him, so he fastidiously made Tiberius his heir.

Military decay, the loss of his grandsons and a troubled economy foggy his last years.

He became more dictatorial, exiling the lyricist Ovid (8 AD), who difficult mocked his moral reforms. Appease died on 19 August 14 AD.