Augustus and the Foundation of the Empire
44
Octavius comes to Rome to secure his place as Caesar's heir. He is now Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian).
At first allies himself with the senators and consuls of 43against Antonius (Antony), then he forms a
second triumvirate with Antonius and Lepidus. Together they defeat the assassins of Caesar at Philippi in Greece. From
43-41 Proscriptions: 300 senators, 2000 knights (equestrians) killed. Antonius
departs for the East. leaving Octavian with the burden of confiscating land for his troops. Lepidus betrays the
triumvirate and he is put to pasture (dies 12 BCE). Effectively there is a duovirate (two man rule). Octavian succeeds
in uniting Italy with Agrippa and Maecenas' help. Agrippa defeats Sextus Pompeius (son of Pompey
the Great) at Naulochus (off the coast of Sicily). Meanwhile in the East, Antonius has problems with Parthia and he has
'married' a foreign queen, Cleopatra'. Octavian unites all of Italy and some nobles to support his case
against Antonius. Agrippa and Augustus defeat Antonius and Cleopatra at Actium.
30: Antonius and Cleoptra commit suicide. Egypt becomes the personal province of Octavian.
29: Octavian celebrates a triple triumph; closes the temple of Janus. Right of appeal and pardon is
also given to him. He is commander-in-chief of the army. 27: 'First Constitutional Settlement'.
Says he wants to become a private citizen and relinquishes all control of his provinces and powers. Octavian becomes
Augustus (revered one). The senate rejected his request. Instead, Augustus agrees to administer the larger provinces
(Spain, Gaul and Syria) for 10 years with proconsular authority. He is also consul in Rome.
23: 'Second Settlement'. Resigned as consul on July 1. Compensated when Senate voted his
imperium 'maius', i.e., greater than all the other holders of imperium. Since his imperium would lapse once he
entered the city, he is granted tribunician potestas (powers of the tribune of the people). He could summon the sentate
and was princeps senatus
19: Returns from East with standards lost by Crassus in 53 BCE. Given right to appoint prefect of
the city, right to sit between the consuls and to have 12 lictors.
18: His proconsular imperium is granted for another five years. Introduces 'moral'
legislation, especially against adultery. 17: Holds the Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) signally the
beginning of a new saeculum (period of 110 years) of contentment.
13: Inaugurates ground for the Altar of Augustan Peace (dedicated in 9 BCE)
2: Dedication of his new Forum. Given the title of 'Pater Patriae'--"Father of the
Country". CE 14: After outliving almost all of his descendants, he dies at Nola. His stepson, and
one-time son-in-law, becomes the new emperor Tiberius.
Chronology of Life of Augustus
Forum of Augustus
Augustan Art
The last two sites are still under development.
Return to Roman Civilization Page.
