Early Career of Augustus
Augustus or Octavius (as he was called until his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, adopted him) was born 23 September, 63 B.C. In 48 B.C., he was elected to the pontifical college. In 45 he followed Caesar to Spain. In 43 or 42 Caesar named Octavius Master of Horse. In March 44 B.C., when Julius Caesar died, Octavius discovered he had been adopted."Augustus" Gains Imperial Powers
Octavian styled himself "Caesar" and gathered troops (from Brundisium and along the road) as he went to Rome to have his adoption made official. There Antony prevented him from standing for office and blocked his adoption.Through the oratory of Cicero, not only was Octavian's close to illegal command of troops legitimized, but also Antony was declared a public enemy. Octavian then marched on Rome with eight legions and was made consul in 43.
The Second Triumvirate soon formed (legally). Octavian gained control of Sardinia, Sicily, and Africa; Antony (no longer a public enemy), Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul; M. Aemilius Lepidus, Spain and Gallia Narbonensis. They revived proscriptions, an extra-legal means of padding their treasury, and pursued those who had killed Caesar. From then on Octavian acted to secure his troops and to concentrate the power in himself.
Octavian, Antony and Cleopatra
Relations deteriorated between Octavian and Antony in 32 B.C., when Antony renounced his wife Octavia in favor of Cleopatra. Augustus' Roman troops fought Antony, defeating him decisively in a sea battle in the Ambracian gulf, near the promontory of Actium.Beginning of the Principate: The New Role of Emperor of Rome
Over the next few decades the new powers of Augustus, the one leader of Rome had to be ironed out through two constitutional settlements and then the added title of Pater Patriae father of the country that was given him in 2 B.C.Augustus' Longevity
Despite serious illnesses, Augustus managed to outlive various men he had been grooming as successor. Augustus died in 14 A.D. and was succeeded by his son-in-law Tiberius.Names of Augustus
63-44 B.C.: Gaius Octavius
44-27 B.C.: Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian)
27 B.C. - 14 A.D.: Augustus
