1. Octavian’s Rise to Power
The Main Events…

2. Julius Caesar’s Death 15th March 44 BC
Murdered by republican opponents Brutus and Cassius
Objected to his self-instated position as dictator
Octavius in Macedonia completing his education, awaiting the arrival of his uncle and a campaign against the Parthians

3. When Caesar Was Assassinated …
Would the Republic be restored ? OR
Would another powerful individual take Caesar’s place?

4. Gaius Julius Caesar
Dictator
Died 44 BCE
Marcus Brutus, one of the
Chief murders of Caesar
Marcus Lepidus, one of Caesar’s close allies
Marcus Antonius, second in Command to Caesar
Octavian, adopted son of Caesar

5. Aftermath of Caesar’s death
Caesarian supporters encouraged Octavian to seize control of Caesar’s troops – Octavian declined
Absence from Italy meant he was uncertain as to the terms of Caesar’s will
Met Caesar’s advisors and troops at Brundisium – successful meeting, troops welcomed their ‘new leader’
Demanded funds for the planned campaign in Parthia – appropriated these from annual tribute from Asia without official authorisation
Cf. Res Gestae – Augustus claims he funded an army himself – semi-truth

6. Winning Short-term Support
Put appropriated tribute to good use: - Veterans
Officially accepted Caesar’s legacy at Rome (May 44 BC)
Gaius Julius Caesar

7. Where did political support lie?
Caesar
Terms of Caesar’s will respected (MA & Dolabella consuls)
MA’s antagonistic eulogy  Brutus and Cassius fleeing Rome
Added Caesar’s Gallic provinces to his own command
Republic
Amnesty for Caesar’s killers from Senate
Unpopularity of dictatorship
Unpopularity of MA
Mark Antony’s unpopularity acclerated Octavian’s rise to power

8. Stage 1: 44-43 BC Manoeuvring
Octavian and Marcus Antonius are bitter rivals
Octavian:
Is recognized as Caesar’s son and heir. Takes the name Gaius Julius Caesar
Raises a private army to get vengeance on Caesar’s assassins and defend himself against Antonius
Works with Cicero, a Roman senator, to get the consulship in 43 BCE.
Mark Anthony builds his own alliances
Limited civil war
Triumvirs for Restoring the Republic: Mark Anthony, Octavian & Lepidus
Caesar
Mark Antony
43 BC
Octavian, using the
name Caesar
Caesar
43 BC
The Triumvirs

9. Octavian at Rome Avenge murder Caesar’s instructions (urban cohort)
Games
Negotiations with Caesarian moderates
Tested Republican waters
March on Rome…

10. March on Rome 44 BC Intention: - claim power through military force
Veterans not yet wholly convinced by ‘the boy’
Not prepared to throw in their lot vs MA
BUT Octavian’s bravado frightened MA sufficiently  withdrew to Brundisium with 4 legions
2 of these succumbed to Octavian’s promises of money and defected…

11. Octavian’s Political Position 44 BC
Reliant almost entirely on reputation as Caesar’s adopted son
Caesarian majority in Senate – but Cicero using MA’s desire to be dictator to scaremonger  republican rise
Republicans able to pass legislation through Senate
BUT MA would not necessarily accept them
OPPORTUNITY FOR OCTAVIAN – lent troops to Senate...

12. Reciprocity… Official command vs. MA granted to Octavian
Legitimation of his authority
Senatorial status
43 BC took over fasces
Senate even agreed bonuses for Octavian’s troops

13. Mutina April 43 BC Antony beseiging Brutus
Antony defeated by republicans
2 consuls, Hirtius & Pansa, killed
Octavian appropriated their troops
Senate recognised Brutus & Cassius’s positions (Macedonia & Syria)

14. Post-Mutina
Military & political strength of Octavian increased by April 43 BC
BUT no longer only military arm of the Senate  lost negotiating power there
Antony  Gaul – gained support of Plancus, Asinius Pollio & Lepidus
Pledged to avenge Caesar’s murderers
OCTAVIAN HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE…

15. Blatant opportunism? Both consuls had been killed…
Octavian’s troops marched on Rome and demanded the consulship for their commander
Senate refused
Octavian marched again, with uncle Pedius 
‘Elected’ consul 43 BC
Initial actions:
Tribunal condemning Caesar’s assassins
Used state funds to pay Caesarian veterans
Proscriptions
Persuaded Senate to remove decree declaring MA enemy of the state…

16. The Proscriptions 43 BC
The triumvirs posted lists of their enemies in public
If a name was on the list:
The person was declared an enemy of the Republic and could be murdered without penalty
The property of the person was taken by the triumvirs
The murderer got a share of the victim’s property
Thousands were murdered

17. Stage 2: 42 – 31 BC The Elimination of Rivals
42 BC Antony’s army defeats the army of Caesar’s assassins at Philippi.
Marcus Lepidus is forced out of the Triumvirate by 36 BC
Octavian and Antony divide up west and east.
31 BC After years of rivalry and propaganda battles Octavian defeats Antony at Actium

18. Stage 3: 31 –27 BC Creating a Position of Power
The “Restoration” of the Republic, 27 BC
Octavian is given the honorary title “Augustus”
Augustus was officially governor of most provinces and commanded most of the legions
Senatorial governors for the remainder of the province and a few legions
Some adjustments in 23 BC
Official command over whole empire as a governor
reliance on tribunician power first granted to him in 36 BC
Held no more offices