![]() ![]() A similar ambiguity is seen in his chosen names, the implied rejection of monarchical titles whereby he called himself Princeps Civitatis (First Citizen) juxtaposed with his adoption of the title augustus.Īugustus dramatically enlarged the empire, annexing Egypt, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum and Raetia, expanding possessions in Africa, and completing the conquest of Hispania, but he suffered a major setback in Germania. Antony and his wife Cleopatra, the Ptolemaic queen of Egypt, killed themselves during Octavian's invasion of Egypt, which then became a Roman province.Īfter the demise of the Second Triumvirate, Augustus restored the outward façade of the free republic, with governmental power vested in the Roman Senate, the executive magistrates and the legislative assemblies, yet he maintained autocratic authority by having the Senate grant him lifetime tenure as commander-in-chief, tribune and censor. The Triumvirate was eventually torn apart by the competing ambitions of its members Lepidus was exiled in 36 BC, and Antony was defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Following their victory at the Battle of Philippi (42 BC), the Triumvirate divided the Roman Republic among themselves and ruled as de facto dictators. He, Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate to defeat the assassins of Caesar. His maternal great-uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, and Octavius was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and heir as a result, he inherited Caesar's name, estate, and the loyalty of his legions. Originally named Gaius Octavius, he was born into an old and wealthy equestrian branch of the plebeian gens Octavia. ![]() The Principate system of imperial rule established by Augustus lasted until the Crisis of the Third Century, after which it evolved into a more bureaucratic regime known as the Dominate under Diocletian and subsequent emperors. The reign of Augustus initiated an imperial cult as well as an era associated with imperial peace, the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta, in which the Roman world was largely free of armed conflict aside from expansionary wars and the Year of the Four Emperors. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the most successful leaders in human history. ![]() Consequently, he longed to remain at the hub of Senatorial politics, swaying and cajoling with his measured and miraculous oratory, rather than putting out fires at the edges of civilization.Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. Irritability, rudeness, every sort of stupidity and bad manners and arrogance both in word and act – one sees examples every day”.Īny suspicion of his protesting too much can be put out of our mind as Cicero had quite recently returned from exile. Too true, and I expect there is worse to come… in my heart of hearts I am on thorns. “Early days you may say, and point out that I am not yet in harness. ![]() Though clearly the affairs of state were already beginning to exert their pressure: “I often blame my own unwisdom in not having found some way of escaping this job it’s so hopelessly uncongenial to me”.Īnd this was before he even took up the position, when he was still en route in the comfort of Athens. Though what evidence do we have of Cicero’s reluctance to adopt the post? Well, we have it straight from the haughty horse’s mouth: ![]()
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