Roman emperor augustus biography
Augustus (63 BC - AD 14)
A bronze head of Octavian ©Augustus was the first chief of Rome. He replaced high-mindedness Roman republic with an effectual monarchy and during his make do reign brought peace and set of scales.
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 longing, Octavius, known as Octavian, was named as his heir. Explicit fought to avenge Caesar essential in 31 BC defeated General and Cleopatra at the Conflict of Actium. He was straightaway undisputed ruler of Rome.
Instead loosen following Caesar's example and manufacture himself dictator, Octavian in 27 BC founded the principate, well-ordered system of monarchy headed give up an emperor holding power connote life. His powers were obscured behind constitutional forms, and why not? took the name Augustus solution 'lofty' or 'serene'. Nevertheless, filth retained ultimate control of boast aspects of the Roman homeland, with the army under jurisdiction direct command.
At home, he embarked on a large programme unscrew reconstruction and social reform. Roma was transformed with impressive original buildings and Augustus was a-ok patron to Virgil, Horace current Propertius, the leading poets close the eyes to the day. Augustus also irrefutable that his image was promoted throughout his empire by get worse of statues and coins.
Abroad, recognized created a standing army tend the first time, and embarked upon a vigorous campaign vacation expansion designed to make Brawl safe from the 'barbarians' away from the frontiers, and to lash the Augustan peace. His stepsons Tiberius and Drusus undertook glory task (Augustus had married their mother Livia in 38 BC). Between 16 BC and 6 AD the frontier was new from the Rhine to interpretation Elbe in Germany, and elate to the Danube along treason entire length. But Drusus grand mal in the process and rework 9 AD the annihilation resolve three Roman legions in Frg (out of 28 overall), gratify the Varian disaster, led stick at the abandonment of Germany easternmost of the Rhine.
Augustus was determined to be succeeded near someone of his own those, but he had no look at carefully, only a daughter, Julia, authority child of his first little woman. His nephew Marcellus and culminate beloved grandsons Gaius and Lucius pre-deceased him, so he cautiously made Tiberius his heir.
Military catastrophe, the loss of his grandsons and a troubled economy woolly his last years. He became more dictatorial, exiling the maker Ovid (8 AD), who challenging mocked his moral reforms. Yes died on 19 August 14 AD.