Octavian's Rise to Power as Caesar

In March of 44 BC, Octavius learned of Caesar's assassination. It was also at this time that he learned of his adoption into the larger Julian family. This adoption gave Octavius the right to hold the name, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. Interestingly however, Octavius did not like the name because he felt as if it did not adequately distinguish him from his past or from Julius Caesar. It is for this reason that Octavius adopted the name Octavian. "The name Octavian has the advantage of distinguishing the first Augustus from the original Gaius Julius Caesar, who was brought down by his assassins on the Ides of March 44, at the base of Pompeius' statue" (21). With his new name, Octavian returned to Rome to examine the condition of the Senate and the whole of Rome (22).

Octavian's Rise to Power as Caesar

In the aftermath of Caesar's death, historians note that Octavian returned to Rome with the expectation of political hostilities toward the Julian family. In spite of this trepidation, Octavian took a commanding lead when he returned to Rome (Shotter, 1). Octavian's charisma made him a capable leader in the absence of Julius Caesar:

On Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, their son, who was one of Caesar's few legitimate male relatives, burst upon the scene at the age of only 18, expecting a supremacy for which most who were socially his betters would have had to wait until the age of 42 or so. Such impetuosity might have proved fatal, but Octavian (as he was then known) displayed a consummate ability to utilize people's services, to play men off against each other, and to maintain a convincing self-righteousness in the most unpromising of situations (1).

Thus, it is not surprising to find that Octavian was able to successfully rule the Roman empire for almost six decades. During this time, Octavian was heralded as the savior of Rome (2).

In the wake of Caesar's death, the leadership of Rome fell principally in the hands of three individuals: Mark Anthony, Cicero and Octavian. In an effort to remove Anthony from power, Cicero manipulated Octavian, creating an alliance between the two. As a result of this alliance, Octavian was promoted by "excusing him all offices up to and including the praetorship" (20). Thus, Octavian achieved the seniority of an ex-praetor, a position that Octavian would not have otherwise been granted until his late thirties (20). Octavian utilized the power granted to him to defeat Cicero. Through Cicero's defeat, Octavian was able to win the consulship of Rome and form a triumvirate consisting of himself, Mark Anthony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. This triumvirate was granted the legal right to govern and act on behalf of the Roman Empire (21).

As the triumvirate set about the business of protecting the empire, Octavian was given charge of the army and its campaigns in Italy. Unlike Mark Anthony, Octavian was highly successful in his military campaigns. His overall success enabled him to garner favor both with the Roman people and other leaders outside of the Empire (22). In 39 BC, Octavian was able to achieve a political victory by allowing certain prominent Republican figures to return to their families in Italy. The negotiation of this settlement gave Octavian widespread credibility and brought honor back to the Julian family name. These triumphs took place as Mark Anthony continued to fail in his efforts to defeat the Parthians, the eastern enemies of the Roman Empire (22).

At the same time that Octavian was establishing himself as a formidable military leader and politician, he was also seeking marriage. Octavian chose to marry, Livia Drusilla, who was noted to be "one of the most aristocratic young ladies available" (22). Although this marriage promulgated considerable scandal-as Livia was already pregnant and married to Tiberius Claudius Nero-Octavian was able to overcome the negative publicity of this marriage because of Mark Anthony's poor leadership and his affair with Cleopatra. With his marriage secure, Octavian was now free to wage war with Anthony for the right to control the Roman Empire. In 31 BC, Octavian met Anthony at the battle of Actium. Octavian swiftly defeated Anthony and returned home to Rome with the power, wealth and resources to rule the Empire (23).

With almost unanimous support for his leadership, Octavian was granted the leadership of Rome. When he returned to lead Rome, Octavian chose the title of Principate. This word comes from the Latin princeps, which means "leading citizen" (24). Overall, Octavian pursued a general course for the Roman Empire that was based upon both filial piety and the desire to create a more harmonious Empire. Although historians note that it took a number of years for Octavian to garner a high degree of credibility among his followers-as his actions in the early years after Caesar's death made him appear somewhat unstable-as leader and ruler of Rome, Octavian was able to bring both peace and prosperity to an Empire that had previously been mired in social and political chaos (27).

The Hallmark's of Augustus' Rule

Reviewing the changes made by Octavian as the Principate of Rome, it is evident that many of the plans initiated by Octavian have been carried through to modern society. For instance, researchers note that in the years following Octavian's ascension to power, the finances of the government fell in heavy disarray. Although Octavian himself was able to fund the government for a short time, it was evident that the solution needed was one that required more input from the citizenry. For this reason, Octavian instituted an inheritance tax of five percent. In addition, Octavian also instituted a sales tax. The revenues from these taxes were used principally to support the ongoing efforts of the Roman army and the efforts of the government to provide for the people (Geweke and Winspear, 150).

In addition to improving the finances of the government, Octavian also set to the task of establishing a fire and police force. Researchers examining the development of a police force in Rome note that until the time of Octavian's rule, the Empire did not see fit to establish a police force (156). The widespread social problems that had arisen in Rome prompted Octavian to create a fire department, which later assumed the duties of a police unit. In order to finance the operations of the fire/police department, Octavian introduced a two percent sales tax on the sale of slaves. Through the collection of this revenue, Octavian was able to maintain a solid fire/police department that served the entire city of Rome (156).

The changes that Octavian made to the tax infrastructure were not the only notable accomplishments undertaken. Although Rome had established and developed two central roadways in the Empire, Octavian took it upon himself to create more roads for the Empire. Using public funds, Octavian embarked on a plan of road building, which over time established a system of highways covering the entire Empire (203). Octavian saw the road as having two principle purposes for the Empire: "The work thus undertaken was of immeasurable value not only in keeping peace and promoting security, but as a means whereby the transportation of goods through the empire might be ensured and commerce might flourish" (204).

Along with creating a new system of road for both communication and prosperity, Octavian had the idea of creating a postal system that was overseen by the central government. Octavian realized the challenges that existed when it came to providing leaders with critical information. Even though many of the wealthy had personal messengers, even the most reliable of messengers faced notable challenges when it came to delivering critical information. To ensure that all citizens and leaders received pertinent information in a timely manner, Octavian instituted a postal system to act as an official messenger service for the citizens of Rome. Utilizing the extensive road system that Octavian had built, it was possible for messengers to more efficiently deliver their parcels (205).

Octavian is also noted for his deep commitment to revitalizing religion in Rome. According to one scholar: "Augustus paid great attention to religious detail; temples were restored, priesthoods revived, and he himself took on the role of religious 'chairman' with his assumption of the post of chief priest (pontifex maximus)" (Shotter, 47). Octavian's deep commitment to the religious revival of Rome prompted many citizens to view Octavian as a divine rule, one sent by the Gods to improve the whole of humanity. Although Octavian never accepted his place as a divine ruler, he did use the political momentum of this position to further his efforts to improve the Empire (47).

While it is quite evident that Octavian brought considerable prosperity and innovation to the Roman Empire, historians examining Octavian's rule argue that his most notable contribution to the state was the extended reign of peace that Octavian fostered (49). While it is quite evident that Octavian upheld a number of notable military challenges against the Roman Empire, his principle duty to the citizens of Rome appears to be his desire to establish a peaceful democracy in which the whole of Rome could thrive (49). Thus, even though Octavian had one of the largest armies in history at his disposal, he worked to utilize his resources to create peace and security in the Empire. As such, Octavian is not widely known for his expansion of the Empire; rather he is known for his efforts to secure the borders of the Empire and ensure prosperity for Roman citizens (50).

Conclusion

When the life and rule of Augustus Caesar is examined overall, it becomes evident that this leader was indeed quite unique. Although technically born a common man, Octavian quickly rose though the political ranks of the Roman Republic to become one of the most powerful men in the Empire. Most of Octavian's power was acquired by the age of 18. As a principle leader of Rome, Octavian was able to use the resources at his disposal to create significant change for the Roman Empire. While the years leading up to Octavian's rule were characterized by both hardship and strife for the Roman people, when Octavian came to power, he was able to create both peace and security for the Empire and its citizens. It is for this reason that Octavian remains one of history's most beloved leaders.

In addition to the fact that Octavian was able to generate considerable peace and prosperity for the Empire, it is evident that many of the innovations undertaken by Octavian became an integral part of modern society-i.e. the collection of taxes and the establishment of a government controlled postal service. It is for these contributions that Octavian's memory lives on in modern history. If it had not been for Octavian's contributions to the larger whole of society, Roman civilization and the advancement of man may not have occurred in the same manner. Thus, while many laymen do not actively look to the past to understand modern society and civilization, the history of Octavian demonstrates the importance of the past in creating the future.

Works Cited

Geweke, Lenore Kramp and Alban Dewes Winspear. Augustus and the Reconstruction of Roman Government and Society. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1935

Shotter, David. Augustus Caesar. London: Routledge, 1991.

Southern, Pat. Augustus. London: Routledge, 1998.