Home > Facts > Ancient History Facts > Emperor Augustus Facts

Emperor Augustus Facts

Emperor Augustus Facts
August Caesar was the first Roman emperor and his rule therefore marks the begging of the Roman Empire and the end of the Roman Republic. He came to power in 27 BC after defeating the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, thereby ending the final round of the Civil Wars that had plagued Rome for decades. During his reign, Augustus expanded Rome's borders, but he is perhaps best known for his many internal improvements and modernizations he brought to the Empire. He was extremely popular with both the Plebeians and Patricians, partly due to his carefully crafted public image, but also because his rule was marked by political stability and material prosperity, earning it the moniker "the Era of Augustan Peace," and "Pax Romana" or "Roman Peace." Augustus was born Gaius Octavian Thurinus on September 23, 63 BC to a Patrician family of the Octavii gens or family. He married three times, all for political convenience, and had a daughter, Julia, with his second wife Scribonia.
Interesting Emperor Augustus Facts:
Octavian's mother, Atia, was a niece of Julius Caesar.
As a boy and young man, Octavian displayed an incredible aptitude for academic endeavors. He learned classical poetry and history, in both Latin and Greek, and developed impressive oratory skills at an early age.
When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Octavian was his sole heir.
He used the funds from Caesar's inheritance to gain support in the Roman Senate and Army.
After initialing conflicting with Caesar's second in command, Mark Antony, Octavian formed an alliance with him and Lepidus, which became known as the Second Triumvirate. The Second Triumvirate defeated the leaders of Caesar's killers, Brutus and Cassius, in 42 BC.
After a period of power sharing, Octavian declared war on Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt and Mark Antony's lover in 32 BC.
Octavian was proclaimed emperor in 27 BC and changed his name to Augustus Caesar.
He officially started the Julio-Claudian Dynasty of Roman Emperors.
Augustus carried out an ambitious building program in Rome, resurfacing the Forum in marble and having new monuments and stadiums built.
Augustus initiated numerous social programs, such as food for the poor, and police and fire departments.
Marcus Agrippa was his childhood friend and most trusted subordinate.
Egypt, Dalmatia, Noricum, and Raetia were among the kingdoms Augustus added to the Empire
Augustus' greatest military setback was when three Roman legions led by the general Varus (approximately 15,000 men) were wiped out in the Teutoburg Forest in Germany in AD 9. According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Augustus screamed, "Varus, give me back my legions." Varus could not answer because he died with his legions.
He took his third and final wife, Livia Drusilla, away from her husband while she was pregnant with his child.
According to Suetonius, Augustus exiled his daughter for adultery. He further noted, "while in exile the younger Julia gave birth to a child, which Augustus refused to let the father acknowledge; it was exposed at his orders."
Augustus Caesar died on August 19, AD 14


Related Links:
Facts
Ancient History Facts
Animals Facts