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Augustus Caesar

Roman emperor from 27 BC to AD 14

Augustus, also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the founder of the Roman Empire and the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. The reign of Augustus initiated an imperial cult and an era of imperial peace (the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta) in which the Roman world was largely free of armed conflict. The principate, a style of government where the emperor showed nominal deference to the Senate, was established during his reign and lasted until the Crisis of the Third Century.

Octavian was born into an equestrian branch of the plebeian gens Octavia. After his great-uncle, the dictator Julius Caesar, was assassinated in 44 BC, Octavian, whom Caesar named as his primary heir in his will, inherited Caesar's estate and assumed his name. He fought for the loyalty of Caesar's legions. He was made a senator during a state emergency and seized power by marching on Rome in 43 BC, becoming its youngest elected consul. He, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus formed a triumvirate regime with legally sanctioned powers to outlaw and oppose the assassins of Caesar and their allies.

Notable For

Roman emperor from 27 BC to AD 14

Augustus Caesar's Historical Timeline

  1. 27 BC The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus by the Roman Senate

    Augustus, also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the founder of the Roman Empire and the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.

  2. 30 BC Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian, but most of his army subsequently desert

    30 BC Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian, but most of his army subsequently deserts, leading to Octavian's invasion of Egypt

  3. 31 BC Battle of Actium: Decisive naval battle that effectively ends the Roman Republic. Octavian's forces defeat those u

    31 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.

  4. 38 BC Roman Republican Leader Octavian, later Augustus 1st Roman Emperor, weds Livia Drusilla

    38 BC Roman Republican Leader Octavian, later Augustus 1st Roman Emperor, weds Livia Drusilla

  5. 42 BC Second Battle of Philippi: Brutus's army is decisively defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian during the Roman Repub

    42 BC Second Battle of Philippi: Brutus's army is decisively defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian during the Roman Republican civil wars causing Brutus to fall on his sword

  6. 43 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul

    43 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul

  7. 43 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leaders formed by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus,

    43 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leaders formed by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony

Associated Historical Events

27 BC The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus by the Roman Senate

Augustus, also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the founder of the Roman Empire and the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.

30 BC Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian, but most of his army subsequently desert

30 BC Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian, but most of his army subsequently deserts, leading to Octavian's invasion of Egypt

31 BC Battle of Actium: Decisive naval battle that effectively ends the Roman Republic. Octavian's forces defeat those u

31 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.

38 BC Roman Republican Leader Octavian, later Augustus 1st Roman Emperor, weds Livia Drusilla

38 BC Roman Republican Leader Octavian, later Augustus 1st Roman Emperor, weds Livia Drusilla

42 BC Second Battle of Philippi: Brutus's army is decisively defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian during the Roman Repub

42 BC Second Battle of Philippi: Brutus's army is decisively defeated by Mark Antony and Octavian during the Roman Republican civil wars causing Brutus to fall on his sword

43 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul

43 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul

43 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leaders formed by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus,

43 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leaders formed by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Augustus Caesar known for?
Roman emperor from 27 BC to AD 14
What historical events involved Augustus Caesar?
Augustus Caesar was involved in 7 recorded historical events, including 27 BC The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus by the Roman Senate, 30 BC Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian, but most of his army subsequently desert, 31 BC Battle of Actium: Decisive naval battle that effectively ends the Roman Republic. Octavian's forces defeat those u.

Related Years

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