When Octavian Augustus ruled. Octavian August - the first Roman emperor, adopted son of Gaius Julius Caesar

And how he created his empire is described in this article.

Rise to the throne

The path to began quite early for Octavian. When asked how many years Octavian Augustus ruled, it is difficult to give the only correct answer. The fact is that for some time Octavian ruled Rome unofficially, he received full legal power from the Senate later. To understand how this happened, you should study a little biography of Octavian.

The future emperor was born in 63 BC. He came from a noble family - his mother was the niece of Julius Caesar. His great-grandfather, Julius Caesar, who later adopted the young patrician, liked his excellent upbringing and remarkable organizational talent. At the age of 18, he was already introduced to the Senate, where he managed to win over even the most experienced politicians with flattery and eloquence. With his generosity and affectionate manner, he managed to win over the people and the army.

Triumvirate

Having concluded an agreement with Antony and Lepidus, he created a military alliance, called the Second Triumvirate. Thanks to his leadership talent, the future emperor gradually defeated the Republican army and divided the Roman lands between himself and his allies. The power of Octavian Augustus extended over the whole of Italy and its provinces, Anthony went to Asia, and Lepidus - African possessions. Together with Lepidus, he crushed the last centers of the republican rebels, after which Lepidus lost his lands, and in return received life, freedom and the modest position of the great pontiff. The possessions of Antony's recent ally were confiscated after the Perusin War. So the triumvirate broke up, and Octavian became virtually the sole ruler of Rome.

Rule of Rome

The autocracy of Octavian Augustus required the legalization of his reign. From year to year he was elected consul, but he constantly exceeded his authority, further disregard for the legal side already threatened with uprisings.

In 28 BC. e. Octavian Augustus came to the Senate and announced that the civil wars were over, peace reigned in the lands of Rome, and he resigned all powers, thereby returning power to the people and those who feared Octavian's treachery, vied with each other to convince them to change their minds. A few days later he was awarded the title of August, which emphasized the sacredness and inviolability of his power.

From the army he was awarded the title of "emperor", which means - the ruler, commander. So the Roman soldiers called commanders who did not know defeat. The nickname Caesar was a family name, but after the initiation, it turned into a generic name for the rulers of Rome. So, the emperor Octavian Caesar Augustus took the throne of the Roman state.

Long years of power

How many years Octavian August ruled, the same amount of time he strengthened the monarchical power in his country. The expansion of the borders of the state, strong ties within the country, a well-functioning state bureaucracy allowed Octavian to create a full-fledged powerful state. created by this ruler turned out to be so perfect that it functioned for another three centuries after his death.

The actual reign of Augustus began in 43 BC, when he was first elected consul. With short breaks, he held this position for almost 20 years. In the year 28, his power is fixed by law - Augustus becomes the ruler of Rome for life. The emperor died in 14 AD.

Thus, the question of how many years Octavian Augustus ruled can be answered: 56 years of actual power, of which 42 years he was emperor and absolute monarch of the Roman Empire.

When Caesar was assassinated (March 15, 44 BC), Octavian was in Apollonia, in Epirus. He immediately hurried to Italy at this news and, having learned at Brundisium about the contents of the will, he decided, together with the inheritance, to accept the name of Caesar and at the same time strive to inherit his power, without, however, openly expressing this last desire. At that time, two parties fought in Rome: the Republican, which overthrew Caesar, and the party of Antony and Lepidus, which, under the pretext of revenge for the death of Caesar, sought only to seize power in their own hands. The struggle ended in the victory of the last party, whose head, the consul Anthony, enjoyed almost unlimited power. Arriving in Rome, Octavian demanded from the latter the issuance of Caesar's inheritance. Anthony initially refused, but had to give in to the wishes of the veterans and agree to extradition.

The outer peace, however, did not last long, only until September 44, and when Antony left Rome to take Cisalpine Gaul from Decimus Brutus, Octavian began to recruit an army, won over the senate and the people to his side, and led the military actions of the senate against Antony (i.e., against Antony). n. Mutinenzi war). But already at the end of this war, he discovered his real image thoughts and openly became in hostile relations to the Republicans. He reconciled with Antony and Lepidus, who returned from Gaul, and at the end of October 43 in Bologna concluded a triumvirate with them, after which, having massacred their enemies in Rome and Italy, they defeated the republican army, which was under the beginning. Brutus and Cassius in Macedonia.

Upon Octavian's return to Italy, Antony's wife, Fulvia, together with his brother Lucius Antony, initiated new war against him, which ended, however, in their complete defeat thanks to the successes of Agrippa, the commander of Octavian. The death of Fulvia prevented a new clash between Antony and Octavian. In Brundisi, an agreement was made between them (40), sealed by the marriage of Antony with Octavia, Octavian's sister; by this treaty the latter received the west of the empire, including thither and Gaul.

Waiting for the birth of the savior of the world, which was supposed to mark the onset of a new, happy era, predicted by Virgil in his fourth eclogue ("shepherd's poem"), written c. 40 BC, associated with the young emperor Octavian, whose world domination promised to bring a long-awaited peace; he received divine honors. Virgil in the "Aeneid" (6:791/2) recognized the fulfillment of his prophecy: Caesar Augustus is the Promised One! An altar to the Roman gods and Augustus was consecrated in Lyon, an altar of the august peace was built in Rome, and in 8 BC. the temple of the god Janus, who patronized the war, officially closes - peace has come to the Roman Empire. Octavian August maintains good relations with the Jews. He orders twice a day to bring sacrifices in the temple at his expense and greets Herod warmly. He strives to keep up with the introduction of the official cult of the emperor, renames the city of Samaria to Sebastia (this name of the city is the Greek equivalent of the title of Augustus) and erects a temple of Augustus there. Another temple in honor of Rome and Augustus was built in the Mediterranean port of Caesarea (also named after the emperor). The third temple of Augustus is being built in Caesarea Philippi, so named later in honor of Tiberius. In the Jerusalem temple, from now on, a sacrifice was made daily for Caesar, as before - for the Persian king (1 Ezra 6:10). This is the background against which the message of the Evangelist Luke (Luke 2:1) about the census conducted by order of the imp. August for taxes. This event caused Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born.

Octavian Augustus fought many wars in Africa, Asia and Europe. After a long and stubborn struggle (27-19) he succeeded in taking possession of Spain; Tiberius, the eldest son of Libya, conquered him Pannonia and Dalmatia, and Drusus, her younger son, penetrated to the Elbe, forced him to submit 12-9 BC. and West Germans. The Parthians were supposed to return Armenia back to him. At the foot of the Alps he erected monuments to his victories over the mountain tribes; the remains of these proud buildings are still visible in Susa and Aosta. Octavian suffered his greatest setback in the defeat of Varus, who lost in 9 AD. three legions as a result of the sudden attack of the Germans, led by Arminius.

In peacetime, Octavian put in order the affairs of government. He purged the senate, took care of improving morals, patronizing marriages for this purpose (Lex Julia and Papia Rorraea), also tried to restore the old religion and raised discipline in the troops and order in Rome. He adorned Rome with numerous buildings and could justly be proud that he accepted it in brick, and left it in marble. He traveled throughout his vast empire to establish order everywhere, founding cities and colonies in many places. Grateful peoples erected altars and temples to him for this, along with the goddess Roma, and by a special decree of the Senate, the month of Sextilis was renamed Augustus in his honor. All conspiracies on his life constantly ended in failure.

The dissolute lifestyle of his daughter (from Scribonia) Julia caused much grief to Octavian. In Libya, Octavian found a wife quite worthy of himself, but she is accused of not stopping at bad means in order to ensure the right of succession to Augustus for her eldest son. Octavian had no sons, and death stole from him not only his nephew Marcellus and the grandsons Gaius and Lucius, but even his beloved stepson Drusus, who died in 9 BC. in Germany. Only his elder brother, Tiberius, who was always antipathetic to Octavian, remained.

Octavian wisely and moderately used his unlimited power and blessed the country with all the blessings of the world after he led it through all the horrors of internecine war. Not possessing the genius of Julius Caesar, he always clearly outlined his goal and skillfully used all the means presented to him. He respected the sciences, he was even a poet himself and gave his name to an entire era, remarkable for the flourishing of the sciences and arts. He patronized poets, such as Horace, Virgil, and others.

His death plunged the empire into deep sadness: he was ranked among the host of gods, altars and temples were erected to him.

Used materials

• Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron
• Rineker F., Mayer G. Brockhaus Bible Encyclopedia

Octavian August (63 BC - 14 AD) - politician, emperor, consul ancient rome. He also had the status of the great pontiff (high priest) and the powers of the tribune.

Family, childhood

Gaius Octavius ​​Furin, as the founder of the Roman Empire Octavian Augustus was named at birth, was born in Rome on September 23, 63. BC. His family, rich but not noble, was related to Caesar. Octavian was his great-nephew.

At a tender age, he lost his father, and his mother remarried. This event in the biography of Octavian Augustus was decisive - he was sent to be brought up by his maternal grandmother, who was Caesar's sister. However, it is unlikely that at that time Octavian could have met his ruling relative, since Caesar was busy waging the Gallic War. Obviously, the acquaintance took place when Caesar at the beginning civil war(49 BC) returned to Italy.

As a child (in 48 or 47 BC) Octavian was initiated and under the patronage of Caesar in 47. BC. received the first 2 positions: an honorary place in the council of priests (college of pontiffs) and the position of prefect of the city (the person who governs Rome during the absence of the consul).

The older Octavian Augustus became, the stronger his attachment to Caesar was revealed. It is not surprising that many people began to seek friendship with him. After the assassination of Caesar, according to his will, Octavian was declared heir. Having entered into rights, he began to gain authority among the Romans: he organized games in honor of Caesar's victories after the prescribed period of mourning, gave everyone money.

Power struggle. Mutinskaya war

Despite Caesar's will, active army and also his veterans did not obey Octavian. They supported Caesar's former associate and pretender to the throne, Mark Antony. Octavian tried to remedy the situation by arriving in southern Italy. Here, by promising reprisals against the murderers of Caesar and a monetary reward, he gathered a 10,000-strong army, with which he marched on Rome. November 10, 44 BC. he occupies the Forum, where he delivers a speech calling for war with Antony. However, the legionnaires, who were ready to fight Brutus and Cassius, did not want to oppose the authoritative Antony. Octavian was forced to retreat.

Anthony also tried to seize power by making a series of military campaigns. He moved to Galia and laid siege to the city of Mutina. At this time, the Senate grants Octavian the powers of propraetor (governor of the province) and senator. This, in turn, allowed the young Octavian to take the position of assistant consul. The consuls, having taken troops from Octavian, set off to lift the siege from Mutina. During the struggle, both consuls died, the victory remained with Octavian and his associates.

Second triumvirate

After the Mutinskaya war, Octavian demands to be appointed consul-suffect, but is refused by the senate. In return, he is given the title of emperor (an honorary military title), but he is not allowed to triumph.

Octavian, dissatisfied with the actions of the Senate, experiencing a feeling of hatred for the Republicans, is moving closer to Anthony. Having gathered a huge army of legionnaires, Octavian enters Rome, seizes the treasury and seeks his election as consul. His colleague Quintus Pedias becomes the second consul.

Then Octavian, Antony and the latter's associate, Lepidus, create a triumvirate with legal power to fight Brutus and Cassius. After that, Antony and Octavian set off with a 100,000-strong army to Greece, where the bases of Cassius and Brutus were located. The latter could not reach an understanding, so the victory is for the triumvirate. Octavian returns to Rome.

Civil wars depleted the Italian economy, and famine raged in the country. Guy Octavian began to take land from the inhabitants in order to give his legionnaires the promised reward. It also shook the country's economy and Octavian's personal authority. Anthony's brother tried to take advantage of the discontent. He wanted to seize power, but was severely punished by Octavian.

Upon the return of Antony, the triumvirate divides the sphere of influence: Mark gets the eastern provinces of Rome, Octavian - Italy and the western provinces, Lepidus - Africa. After a while, only two triumvirates remained - Lepidus was removed from power.

Octavian's reign

A new round in the biography of Octavian happened after the marriage of Antony to Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. At the same time, Anthony had a legal wife at that time. Octavian turned the Romans against Antony by making public the latter's will, according to which all Roman lands belonged to Cleopatra's children. The Senate declared war on Antony, in which the latter was defeated. Being betrayed by his legionaries, Antony commits suicide. Cleopatra, not wanting to participate in the triumph, also kills herself.

In January 29 BC. Octavian triumphs. However, he does not become a dictator while remaining an emperor. He also retains the title of princeps (first in the list of senators), so the form of state created by Augustus is the principate.

He expanded the boundaries of the Roman Empire, strengthened the foundations of slavery, reduced the Senate and raised the property qualification for entry. August won the general sympathy of the plebeians by giving them "bread and circuses", in particular, forgiving their debts.

After 9 y.o. AD Augustus limits the policy of conquest, directing forces and resources to the protection of state borders, the construction and improvement of the empire.

He died in August 14. AD in the circle of family and friends.

AUGUST (lat. exalted), (born 09/23/63 BC in Rome, died 08/19/14 AD in Nola), son of Gaius Octavius ​​and Atia, daughter of Caesar's sister, Julia; great-nephew of Gaius Julius Caesar. Until 44 BC e. bore the name Gaius Octavius, from 44, after being adopted by a great-uncle, Gaius Julius Caesar, from 27 BC. e. - Emperor Caesar Augustus. Augustus accompanied Caesar during campaigns in Spain, was awarded with orders, granted the title of patrician and various priestly positions.

After the death of Caesar, appointed heir according to his will, Augustus began a fight with Antony, with whom, however, after the victory at Mutina and the campaign against Rome, together with Lepid on November 27, 43, he concluded a second triumvirate. After the massacre of political opponents through proscriptions (Cicero was among the dead), the triumvirs managed in 42 to defeat the troops of Caesar's killers - Brutus and Cassius. During the division of the Empire, according to the agreement concluded in Brundisium (modern Brindisi), Augustus received the western part of the state, Antony - the east, Lepidus - the African provinces. In 37 the triumvirate was extended for five years. In 36, at Mila and Navloh, a victory was won over Sextus Pompey, the son of the famous Pompey. After the removal of Lepidus from power, Augustus began a fierce struggle against Antony. He was stripped of all positions and titles, and war was declared on his ally, the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. After the victory in the naval battle at Actium in 31, Augustus became the sole Roman ruler.

Returning to Rome, in honor of the end of the war, he ordered the closing of the temple of Janus in 29. In January 27 BC. e. meetings of the Senate were held, at which questions were considered about the position of Caesar's heir and further development Roman Empire. On January 13, the thirty-five-year-old Augustus was transferred by the Senate for a period of ten years proconsular power in all provinces in need of military protection. The provinces were divided into senatorial and imperial. The main Roman troops were concentrated in the latter. Thus, Augustus received the command of most of the Roman army. January 16 he was awarded the honorary title of Augustus. In July 27 BC. e. Augustus was given the power of tribune for life; his proconsular authority was extended to Rome, and the provincial governors were subordinate to him. Thus, the state-legal basis of the first princeps and all his successors was created, based on two pillars: the imperium (from 19 BC) and tribune power.

The power of the emperor was supported by the created authority and a number of sacred functions performed by him. As “the son of Caesar who was numbered among the gods”, Augustus was deified among the people, which later led to the emergence of the cult of the emperor. He was also high priest(Pontifex maximus) and the Father of the Fatherland (Pater patriae).

In foreign policy, the activities of Augustus, aimed at strengthening Roman power while refusing new conquests, were marked by both successes and defeats. The Iberian Peninsula and Gaul firmly entered the Roman provincial system, the border along the Rhine was strengthened (the battle in the Teutoburg Forest put an end to the conquest of Germany), the northern border of Italy was strengthened by the conquest of the Alpine peoples and the conquest of Pannonia. Where the Romans did not establish new provinces, their influence was guaranteed by client states (eg Noricum, Moesia, Thrace), which also existed in Asia Minor (Armenia, Cappadocia, Commagene). How big success Roman diplomacy regarded the return in 20 BC. e. taken by the Parthians in 53 BC. e. as a trophy at the battle of Carrhae Roman military insignia.

In area domestic policy great importance had a renewal of the composition of the Senate, comprehensive reforms (the organization of a service, paid apparatus, consisting of senators, horsemen and freedmen). These reforms improved the financial situation in the empire, primarily its provinces, and had a beneficial effect on the establishment of order in Rome (construction, fire service and police, grain supply, etc.); a permanent paid army was created. Innovations affected legislation and law. It is highly doubtful, however, that adopted laws about marriage and luxury had many supporters.

Successful implementation of internal and foreign policy was impossible without the involvement of knowledgeable assistants and smart advisers, among whom stood out Agrippa and Maecenas. Their influence explains the well-known flourishing of art and science under Augustus. The emperor and his time were glorified in their works by Horace, Propertius and Virgil; Livy wrote a Roman history; scientist Gigin became the head of the library based on the Palatine Hill. Remarkable architectural structures were erected in Rome: the imperial palace and the forum, sundial, the altar of the Peace of Augustus, the mausoleum on the Field of Mars and others. The roads, aqueducts, temples, libraries, meeting houses, and schools built in Italy and the provinces, along with the founding of new cities and the expansion of civil rights, contributed to the spread of Roman culture and civilization. Augustus died on 08/19/14 in Nola. The month of his death was called "August". One of the most difficult problems - the choice of a successor - was solved by Augustus ten years before his death. In 4 he adopted Tiberius Claudius Nero, the son of his third wife Livia from her first marriage. Tiberius succeeded Augustus on the throne and received the name of Emperor Tiberius (Tiberius Caesar Augustus). After Augustus, there remained a statistical outline of the Roman Empire and a list of his deeds under the title "Res Gestae Divi Augusti". Fragments of several copies of this work have been found, the most valuable of which is the "Monumentum Ancyranum". A biography of Augustus was written by Suetonius. Of the surviving images of Augustus, the most famous is the so-called statue from Primaport, found in the imperial villa north of Rome, which is currently stored in the Vatican.

Dictionary of antiquity. Per. with him. - M.: Progress, 1989

Emperor(title bestowed on a victorious commander) from 43 BC. e. proclaimed 21 times.
Not earlier than 37 BC e. became an augur;
between 37 and 34 years. BC e. - Member of the "Collegium of fifteen for sacred rites";
no later than 17 BC e. - a member of the "Collegium of the Seven Epulons" (priests who were in charge of organizing religious meals);
March 6, 12 BC e. became a great pontiff;
February 5, 2 BC e. received the title of Father of the Fatherland.
tribune power received 37 times (first time - July 1, 23 BC, then annually on June 26.)
Consul: I (43 BC), II (33 BC), III (31 BC), IV (30 BC), V ( 29 BC), VI (28 BC), VII (27 BC), VIII (26 BC), IX (25 g BC), X (24 BC), XI (23 BC), XII (5 BC), XIII (2 BC n. e.)

He was buried in Rome in the Mausoleum of Augustus.

Wives:

(1) (Claudia) from 43 BC e.

(2) (Scribonia) from 40 B.C. e.

(3) (Livia Drusilla) from 38 BC e.

Children:

(Julia) (from Scribonia)

Names, titles, relatives are given according to:
1995 Chris Scarre. Chronicle of the Roman Emperors. Thames & Hudson Ltd, London, 2002.

One of the greatest men in the history of mankind was undoubtedly Gaius Octavian, who went down in history as Augustus Caesar.

The life story of Augustus Caesar is very interesting. It is not for nothing that he was called a benevolent despot.

Gaius Octavian was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. Caesar adopted Gaius and tried to prepare a worthy successor in him, so he received a good education.

However, by the time of the death of Julius Caesar, Guy was only 18 years old and therefore other contenders for the throne of Rome did not see a serious opponent in the young man.

However, Guy turned out to be a serious opponent. He managed to win over to his side some of the legions of the murdered Caesar. However, most of the legionnaires supported Mark Antony.

In the course of a fierce war for power, the rivals dropped out one after another, so that soon only two claimed the Roman throne - Mark Antony and Gaius Octavian. Peace was made between them, but not for long. Mark Antony devoted much more time to Cleopatra, but Gaius Octavian strengthened his army. In the end, of course, young Gaius Octavian was the winner.

As you know, Julius Caesar was killed due to the fact that he made a republican Rome a monarchy. So, when Gaius Octavian became the sole ruler, he did not tempt fate, left Rome as a republic and officially renounced all titles and posts. However, he retained the governorship in Spain, Gaul and Syria. And since it was in these provinces that the main Roman troops were located, the power, of course, remained with Gaius. Nevertheless, the grateful Romans were happy with this state of affairs and awarded Gaius Octavian the title of Augustus.

Despite the fact that Gaius Octavian was a desperate warrior, being Augustus Caesar, he immediately "kindled up".

Under Augustus Caesar, all the internal conflicts of the Roman Empire were forgotten, and the "benevolent despot" undertook to actively change the entire structure of the Roman Empire. August Caesar changed the tax and financial system Rome, reorganized the army and created a permanent navy. It was also Augustus Caesar who founded the personal guard - the Praetorian Guard. Also, under Augustus Caesar, many roads and public buildings were built, and the city of Rome itself was significantly improved. In addition, Rome continued to expand due to wars of conquest. It was under Augustus that Spain, Switzerland, Galatia (Asia Minor), most of the Balkans and other lands were annexed to the Roman Republic.

Gradually, under Augustus Caesar, they began to treat the monarchy differently, so that Tiberius, who followed Augustus, easily assumed power by inheritance.

Improvement and reorganization led to the fact that in the Roman Empire the well-being of all inhabitants increased significantly and, as a result, art began to actively develop. It was under Augustus Caesar that Roman literature experienced its "Golden Age", as descendants would later call it. It was under Augustus Caesar that such great poets and writers as Virgil, Horace, Titus Livius and Ovid appeared in Rome (although Ovid did not please Augustus and he expelled him from the country). And for many years after the death of Augustus Caesar, peace and prosperity reigned in the Roman Empire.

So, although Augustus Caesar, the “benevolent despot”, was not a particularly outstanding commander or a particularly insidious intriguer, he was nevertheless a very smart ruler and politician, and it was not in vain that it was during the years of his reign that ancient Rome flourished.

So it is no coincidence that Gaius Octavian Augustus Caesar is one of the greatest people in the history of mankind.