The man who made an empire 63 B.C.E - 14 C.E

 Octavian Caser was the grand nephew of Julius Caesar  Octavian spent time with Julius, while Julius was on campaign in Hispania (46 B.C.E)  After this time Julius would secretly name Octavian to be his sole heir  44 B.C.E Julius is assassinated and Octavian learns he is the sole heir of Julius

Octavian After Julius  Octavian quickly moved to secure his title as heir to Julius Caesar  Julius’ legions pledge their loyalty to Octavian  Since Octavian is only 18 he is often underestimated by his rivals  Octavian is able to rally enough troops around him to form the 2 nd triumvirate with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus  This triumvirate is protected for 5 years by law

 The three men would split the empire:  Octavian = Rome  Antony = Egypt  Lepidus = Hispania and Africa  This would eventually create an East West divide  West = Octavian  East = Antony  The rivalry would grow causing a civil war The 2 nd Triumvirate

 Antony would ditch his marriage to Octavian's sister in favor of Cleopatra  Octavian would invade the Eastern part of the empire in order to subdue Antony and become master of all of Rome  The war would be quickly decided at the battle of Actium, Octavian would be the overwhelming winner

Octavian Becomes Augustus  Octavian took control of both Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire after Actium in 31 B.C.E  Octavian was granted the title Augustus meaning from the Latin word “to increase”  Octavian would rule as the undisputed leader of Rome until his death  The arms of the Roman Republic still existed, but were now beholden to the decisions of the “emperor”

 Augustus Caesar would be the term used to define ever Roman Emperor for the next 14 centuries  Augustus would begin the Pax Romana a 150 year period of peace and prosperity  Commissioned several important buildings including the Pantheon  “found Rome brick and left it marble”  Revenue reform helped pay for Roman bills for the next several centuries