The first emperor after the death of Julius Caesar, Caesar Augustus, commonly known as Octavian was born Gaius Octavius on September 23, 63 B.C., in Velletri, Italy approximately 40km from Rome, into an old and wealthy equestrian branch of the plebian Octavii family. His parents were Gaius Octavius who had been the governor Macedonia , Atia Balba Caesonia, and Julius Caesar(his great uncle, who took an interest in him).
Augustus had a spouse Clodia Pulchara (42 B.C - 40 B.C). By 40 B.C he marries Scribona, giving …show more content…
Before Augustus could become undisputed ruler of Rome, he had to defeat both Cleopatra VII and Marc Antony who both had plans for power after the death of Julius Caesar. Mack Antony had taken command of Caesar’s Legions, which was the largest Roman military unit. This caused enmity between the two men. Antony was engaged in war against the senate and Augustus joined the senate in the fight. He defeated Antony in 43 B.C but the senate refused his triumph. He the abandoned the senate and joined the Second Triumvirate, and they defeated their opponents in 42 B.C and assumed full control of the government. He then fought and defeated Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, whom Antony had engaged romantically. This led to the committing suicide and leaving Augustus with total control of the entire Rome in 32 …show more content…
This he done before the senate, where he announced that he was restoring power to the senate and the people. The senate showed their appreciation by voting him special powers and gave him the tittle Augustus meaning the superior position in the state. In 23 B.C the senate gave Augustus enormous control over the army, legislation, and foreign policy. Principate was a system of monarchy being headed by an emperor who holds power for life according to Raaflaub, Kurt A. Toher & Mark, (1993). The powers of the emperor were hidden behind constitutional forms. His power was based on his control of the army, his enormous popularity, and his financial