Octavian/Augustus

Who was Octavian?

Interesting Facts about Caesar Augustus:Augustus did not call himself king, but used the title Princeps Civitatis, which meant "First Citizen".He established a standing army for Rome where the soldiers were volunteers who served for a term of 20 years. This was different from the early temporary armies made up of Roman citizens.The month of August is named after Augustus. Prior to this the month was called Sextilis.Augustus rebuilt much of the city of Rome. He said on his deathbed that "I found a Rome of bricks; I leave to you one of marble".He established a permanent fire-fighting and police force for the city of Rome (Ducksters.com).

Caesar Augustus was born Gaius Octavius on September 23, 63 B.C., in Velletri, Italy. Julius Caesar, his great-uncle, took an interest in Augustus. When Julius Caesar was murdered, Augustus discovered that he was Julius's heir to the throne. Before Augustus could gain the throne, however, he was forced to battle the armies of both Cleopatra VII and Marc Antony, who had their own plans for power following Julius Caesar's death. Augustus was victorious, and during his rule as Egypt's first Roman emperor, the country was peaceful and prosperous under his rule. Augustus died on August 19, 14 A.D., in Nola (bio.com).

Biography: http://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_rome/augustus.php

Inheritance: The 17-year-old Octavius was at Apollonia (in present-day Albania) when the news of Caesar’s death and his own inheritance arrived. The dead ruler’s allies, including many in the senate, rallied around Octavian against their powerful rival Mark Antony. But after Octavian’s troops defeated Antony’s army in northern Italy, the future emperor refused an all-out pursuit of Antony, preferring an uneasy alliance with his rival (history.com).