Augustus background

• Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavian) also known as Octavian, was the founder of the Roman Empire
• Octavian was born into an equestrian branch of plebian gens Octavia
• His maternal great uncle Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE and Octavian was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and heir. As a result he inherited his name, estate and the loyalty of his legions.
• He, Marc Antony and Marcus Lepidus formed the 2nd Triumvirate to defeat the assassins of Caesar.
• Following the victory at the Battle of Philippi (42 BCE). the triumvirate divided the Roman Republic among themselves. The triumvirate was eventually torn apart by the competing ambitions of its members: Lepidus was exiled in 36BCE and Antony was defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium 31BCE
• He reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE.
• The reign of Augustus initiated an imperial cult, as well as an era of peace (the Pax Augusta) in which the Roman world was largely free of armed conflict.
• The principate system of government was also established during his reign.
• Mother - Atia(Julius Caesars niece)

  Father - Gaius Octavius (governor of Macedonia)
• Wives - Claudia, Scribonia, Livia