Augustus

     Augustus was born on September 23rd 63 BC. He is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He ruled it alone from 27 BC until death. His name at birth was Gaius Octavius Thurinus. His great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar adopted him and changed his name to Gaius Julius Caesar.

     The senate named him Augustus, which means the revered one. This made him Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus although, it is common to call him Octavius. He joined forces with Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in the Second Triumvirate. He ruled Rome and many of its provinces. This military dictatorship was eventually torn down. 

     After it ended, he regained power over the Roman Republic. He had a wide variety of powers that he had for life. The Senate granted him those powers. There was an era called Pax Romana which means Roman Peace. They remained at peace for more than two centuries.

     He enlarged the empire dramatically. He annexed Egypt, Dalmatia, Pannonia, and Raetia. He expanded possessions in Africa. Also, he completed the conquest of Hispania. The empire was secured with client states.

     Augustus wrote a record of all of his accomplishments. It was titled Res Gestae Divi Augusti. The senate declared him a god which is to be worshipped by Romans. The month August was named after him. His death was in AD 14.