![]() With the obvious failings of the Roman Republic, citizens were relieved to gain a benevolent dictator.Īlthough a grateful senate was happy to give Caesar unlimited powers, Caesar agreed to keep the outer facade of the Senate and legislative assembly, but in practice, Augustus Caesar could rule with near-absolute power.ĭespite being incredibly powerful, he exercised his power with a degree of restraint and enlightenment. He cut back on personal extravagances and was generous to the ordinary citizens of Rome. ![]() The foreign nations which could with safety be pardoned I preferred to save rather than to destroy.”Īugustus Caesar ‘ Res Gestae Divi Augusti’ “Wars, both civil and foreign, I undertook throughout the world, on sea and land, and when victorious I spared all citizens who sued for pardon. After pursuing a ruthless path to power which included complicity in the assassination of Senators, Augustus Caesar proved unexpectedly conciliatory, and the brutal civil wars and intrigue were left behind. At this time he took the name ‘Augustus’ which meant ‘lofty’, and used the surname of his great-uncle Caesar. A grateful Roman Senate gave Octavian unprecedented powers – as leader of the army and domestic power. This left Octavian as the undisputed leader of the Roman Empire. After Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide, Octavian had Cleopatra’s son Caesarion killed. In 31 BC, Octavian defeated Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium. Mark Anthony became infatuated with Cleopatra and spent time absent from Rome, this increased suspicion of Mark Anthony and helped Octavian gain more support. Influential figures in the Roman Senate saw Octavian as the lesser of two evils compared to Mark Anthony – who was viewed with suspicion by many in Rome. This enabled him to gain support from within Rome. Octavius successfully convinced Julius Caesar’s own army to follow him and also divisions from Anthony’s own army. The second Triumvirate soon broke down with Mark Anthony wishing to consolidate his power. However, although Gaius was now the adopted son of Julius Caesar, his position was still weak. Octavian argued against putting Cicero on the ‘wanted list’ but in the end acquiesed to the more powerful Mark Antony. Mark Anthony was ruthless in deposing potential enemies, and proscribed the influential Senate figure of Cicero. However, far from bringing peace, the assassination sparked civil unrest with Octavius leading the Second Triumvirate of Mark Anthony and Marcus Lepidus in defeating the assassins of Caesar. On 15 March 44 BC, Julius Caesar was murdered by Brutus and a collection of Roman senators fed up with Caesar’s dictatorship. On becoming the adopted son of Julius Caesar, he took the new name of Gaius Julius Caesar. ![]() Octavius became close to Julius Caesar – the dictator of the Roman Empire, and impressed by his young relative, Julius Caesar named Octavius as the main beneficiary of his will. When Octavius was four years old, his father died and he was later raised by his grandmother – Julia, the sister of Julius Caesar. His maternal great-uncle was Julius Caesar. He was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus in 63 BC to an aristocratic Roman family. Caesar was one of the most influential leaders in world history, setting the tone for the Roman Empire and left a profound legacy on Western civilisation. Known as Octavius (or Octavian) until he was 35, in a divisive civil war, Caesar defeated Mark Anthony to become the undisputed leader of the new Roman Empire and he ruled from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Augustus Caesar (63 BC-AD 14) – First Emperor of Rome.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |