Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus or Augustus was born on September 23, 63 B.C. He died on August 19, A.D. 14. He was the first emperor of Rome, which was a tremendous accomplishment. He ended the much decayed and civil conflict-filled period of the Roman Republic when he started the first Imperial period, which we sometimes call the Principate. He gained power by playing on his relationship with his (posthumously) adoptive father, Julius Caesar. For this reason, he is often referred to as Caesar Augustus or Augustus Caesar, or even just Caesar. Once Augustus had removed all obstacles to his power, he began assuming the top Roman political position, that of consul (an annual position that was not supposed to be granted the same man two years in succession) year after year. He had acquired great wealth from Egypt when Cleopatra died and was able to distribute this to his soldiers. He acquired many virtually universally approved honors, including the title 'Augustus' and father of his country. The Senate asked him to be their head and granted him provinces of his own for ten years.
Although it took some time for the exact form of the new Imperial government to crystalize, Augustus' reign was long enough to establish the one man rule for Rome.
