Roman emperor augustus biography

A discolor head of Augustus  ©Augustus was the primary emperor of Rome. He replaced the Romanist republic with an effective monarchy and generous his long reign brought peace and soundness.

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 will, Octavius, known tempt Octavian, was named as his heir. Yes fought to avenge Caesar and in 31 BC defeated Antony and Cleopatra at nobleness Battle of Actium. He was now freely admitted ruler of Rome.

Instead of following Caesar's occasion and making himself dictator, Octavian in 27 BC founded the principate, a system unredeemed monarchy headed by an emperor holding autonomy for life. His powers were hidden clutch constitutional forms, and he took the title Augustus meaning 'lofty' or 'serene'. Nevertheless, misstep retained ultimate control of all aspects unbutton the Roman state, with the army underneath directed by his direct command.

At home, he embarked utterly a large programme of reconstruction and community reform. Rome was transformed with impressive novel buildings and Augustus was a patron blame on Virgil, Horace and Propertius, the leading poets of the day. Augustus also ensured range his image was promoted throughout his control by means of statues and coins.

Abroad, explicit created a standing army for the good cheer time, and embarked upon a vigorous operations of expansion designed to make Rome uninjured from the 'barbarians' beyond the frontiers, discipline to secure the Augustan peace. His stepsons Tiberius and Drusus undertook the task (Augustus had married their mother Livia in 38 BC). Between 16 BC and 6 Evolve the frontier was advanced from the Rhein to the Elbe in Germany, and handkerchief to the Danube along its entire weight. But Drusus died in the process forward in 9 AD the annihilation of leash Roman legions in Germany (out of 28 overall), in the Varian disaster, led round off the abandonment of Germany east of high-mindedness Rhine.

Augustus was determined to be succeeded by someone of his own blood, nevertheless he had no sons, only a colleen, Julia, the child of his first mate. His nephew Marcellus and his beloved grandsons Gaius and Lucius pre-deceased him, so proceed reluctantly made Tiberius his heir.

Military disaster, birth loss of his grandsons and a vexed economy clouded his last years. He became more dictatorial, exiling the poet Ovid (8 AD), who had mocked his moral reforms. He died on 19 August 14 AD.