Chapters
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Ruled as | Imperator Caesar Augustus |
| Reign | 16 January 27 BCE – 19 August 14 CE |
| Born | 23 September 63 BCE |
| Died | 19 August 14 CE |
Augustus was born as Gaius Octavianus (Gaius Octavius) on 23 September 63 BCE in Rome. He was the first Roman emperor grated the title princeps. His long and reasonable reign gave Rome stabilization and reforms.
He was born an into old and wealthy family Octavia, equites, living in Velitrae. Octavian was a son of Gaius Octavius, former praetor and governor of Macedonia, and Atia Balba, niece of Julius Caesar. He had a stepsister, Octavia the Elder, daughter of Octavius and his first wife, Ancharia, and a blood sister, Octavia the Younger.
Early life
From the very beginning, Octavian was provided with great care and education. He was taught Latin and Greek as well as being fluent in both languages. When he was four, his father died while going to Rome with the aim to become a consul. His mother got married again to Lucius Martius Philippus in 57 BCE when Octavian was six. Both parents treated the child in a more severe way, but they were still very supportive as they took care of his development by choosing only the best teachers for him.
When he was 12 his grandmother, Julia – Caesar’s sister, died. During her funeral, he made a speech about her virtues and merits and impressed everybody with his oratory skills.
When the civil war between Caesar and Pompey broke out in 49 BCE Octavian left Rome and went to Velitrae as their parents had suggested as there was a possibility of revenge on the members of Caesar’s family. He came back to Rome a few months later when Italy was in Caesar’s hands.
Right after coming back to the city, at the age of 15, on October 18, he donned a white toga and thus became an adult. As Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, a member of the College of Pontiffs died in the battle of Pharsalus, young Octavian took his place in 47 BCE. In 46 BCE during Caesar’s triumph, Octavian was given military decorations. Also then the commander noticed this relative and his potential.
Unexpectedly Caesar entrusted Octavian with the organisation of Greek games. The young boy devoted himself fully to do it perfectly. His devotion, however, led to a weakening of his body and illness. Caesar took great care of the boy, he visited him and provided the best medical care for him. When Octavian was still ill Caesar set off to Hispania where he intended to fight with Pompey’s sons gathering troops against him. He wanted to take Octavian with him as he considered military service to be crucial in his Roman career.
