Augustus Caesar
Uploaded by BUMPYOURHEAD on Nov 09, 2008
Born Gaius Octavius, Augustus was born in September of 63 B.C. Octavius' father, Gaius Octavius, was a praetor for two years until he died in 58 B.C. Therefore, Octavius grew up without a father for most of his life. Through Octavius' long life of seventy-seventy years, he accomplished a great deal. He reduced the size of the Senate, he was an integral part of the second triumvirate, and he was elected the Pontifex Maximus, just to name a few of these accomplishments. Octavius received the name Augustus by holding the consulship and receiving various awards. This title was not given out to just anyone. In order to receive this title, one must be a large contributor to the city (Boardman 533-534).
Octavius Caesar was related to the famous Julius Caesar through Octavius' mother. Atria was Octavius' grandmother and Julius Caesar's sister, therefore making Octavius his great-nephew. When Julius Caesar was murdered in 44 B.C., his will read that Octavius was to be adopted by him, making Octavius his son and heir to the Roman Empire. Also, in his will it stated that every citizen of Rome would receive a cash gift. Octavius rushed to Rome to take his throne, but when he arrived in Rome, he realized the Antony had already taken control of the city. He could not persuade Antony to release the money in Julius Caesar's treasury so he had to borrow all the money he could to give the gifts to the citizens. Julius Octavius Caesar was only eighteen when he was thrust into the world of hate and greed. Even though he was supposed to be the ruler of Rome, he had to march on Rome in order to get any respect from Cassius and Brutus. Cassius and Brutus were the head of the conspiracy to kill Julius Caesar. Ironically, Augustus comes back to kill Cassius and Brutus for the power. (Hornblower, Companion 105).
When Augustus became emperor, he tried to drastically reduce the size of the Senate on several occasions. Unlike Julius Caesar, he did not think just anyone should be allowed to be a Senator. He thought all those who were unworthy to be a Senator were to be kicked out of office. After many futile attempts, he abandoned the quest to eliminate those he felt were unworthy to be a Senator. Also, Augustus had to be careful and not step on too many toes because...