AUGUSTUS
Gaius Octavius Thurnius was born in Velletri, a place 20 miles outside of Rome in 63 BC. He had a confusing history of names: when Octavius was adopted by Caesar in 44 BC his name was changed to Octavian. Then, in 26 BC Octavian was renamed Augustus by the Roman Senate and it is this name that remained for the rest of his life. Augustus’ father was a governor and senator in the Roman Republic, and his mother, Atai, was Caesar’s niece. When young, Augustus, then called Octavius, was looked after by his grandmother, who was also Caesar’s sister. When Augustus was 16, he started to wear a toga- the sign of manhood in Ancient Rome, and took on some responsibilities which included joining the military and fighting alongside Caesar.
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Caesar died when Augustus was 17. Augustus received a big inheritance sum from Caesar. This gave Augustus increased power in Rome. Then, in 43 BC, Augustus established a power sharing agreement with Antony and Lepidus. As part of the agreement, Rome’s territories were divided up amongst them. However, due to a number of different reasons, such as the development of a political alliance and romantic affair between Antony and the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra which ended up with a declaration of war by Antony’s wife, and eventually resulted in Antony and Cleopatra committing suicide, Augustus defeated all of his opponents and rose to sole power of Rome.
Augustus’ reign started in 27 BC and continued for over 40 years. During that time, Augustus doubled the size of the Roman Empire by adding territories in Asia and Europe, and also by developing alliances with other territories. As a result he effectively ruled from India to Britain. Throughout Augustus’ reign he travelled around the world in order to build power, begin censuses and taxation schemes, and also to develop and expand the network of Roman roads. The Roman Empire began continued for over 1500 years after the reign of Augustus.
Augustus’ reign started in 27 BC and continued for over 40 years. During that time, Augustus doubled the size of the Roman Empire by adding territories in Asia and Europe, and also by developing alliances with other territories. As a result he effectively ruled from India to Britain. Throughout Augustus’ reign he travelled around the world in order to build power, begin censuses and taxation schemes, and also to develop and expand the network of Roman roads. The Roman Empire began continued for over 1500 years after the reign of Augustus.