The Reign of Caesar Augustus

Julius Caesar had no children of his own, so he decided to adopt his grand-nephew, Octavian, to be his heir. On March 15 of 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated and Octavian came to power at 18. He gathered support and an army from Caesar’s veterans and went to Rome where Cassius and Brutus were in control. He formed an alliance with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, and they became the Second Triumvirate. Then Antony and Octavian went after Brutus and Cassius who had fled to the east. Both of these murderers committed suicide. (source)

“The Triumvirate was eventually torn apart under the competing ambitions of its rulers: Lepidus was driven into exile, and Antony committed suicide following his defeat at the Battle of Actium by the armies of Octavian in 31 BC.” (source) “It took several years to work out the exact framework by which a formally republican state could be led by a sole ruler; the result of which became known as the Roman Empire. The emperorship was never an office like the Roman dictatorship which Caesar and Sulla had held before him; indeed, he declined it when the Roman populace ‘entreated him to take on the dictatorship’. By law, Augustus held a collection of powers granted to him for life by the Senate, including those of tribune, censor, and consul, without being formally elected to either of those (incompatible) offices. His substantive power stemmed from financial success and resources gained in conquest, the building of patronage relationships throughout the Empire, the loyalty of many military soldiers and veterans, the authority of the many honors granted by the Senate, and the respect of the people. Augustus' control over the majority of Rome's legions established an armed threat that could be used against the Senate, allowing him to coerce the Senate's decisions. With his ability to eliminate senatorial opposition by means of arms, the Senate became docile towards his paramount position of leadership.” (source)

“In 27 B.C. the Roman Senate added to his adopted name of Caesar the title Augustus (meaning ‘divine’ or ‘majestic’). As emperor he expanded the borders of Rome and took a particular interest in civic and cultural affairs, building temples and theaters, improving aqueducts and supporting poets and historians like Virgil and Ovid.” (source) The time that Caesar reigned is called the Augustan Age. “The Augustan Age is also known as the Pax Romana -- the peace of Rome. [Also,] the eighth month of the Gregorian calendar, August, bears his name.” (source)

Another reason why the reign of Caesar Augustus was important was because Jesus Christ was born during Caesar’s reign. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Richards 1256)

Well, Caesar started to get old, and “the defeat of Varus, and the tacit abandonment of the plans of expansion begun twenty-five years before, are almost the last events of importance in the long principate of Augustus.” (source) “Augustus ruled Rome for 41 years, though he did not call himself an emperor. He was careful to not meet the same fate as his great granduncle.” (source)

Works Cited: Don't need book sources, though

Richards, Lawrence O. The New Adventure Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, Michigan: ZondervanPublishingHouse. 1989.