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 History
& Cultures
Guest
Columnist: Cornelia
Amiri
The First Roman
Emperor
 Octavian
The month of August is named after Octavian (Augustus) Caesar, the first
roman emperor. His political career began at age 18 with the death of his great
uncle, Julius Caesar. Before he was assassinated, Caesar adopted his
grandnephew, Octavian. Even though Octavian was Julius’s heir, he had no claim
to Caesar's position, because state offices were not inheritable. Caesar did,
however, leave Octavian three fourths of his estate. It was this vast wealth
which enabled him to begin a great political career.
The Triumvirate
Octavian, along with general Marcus Lepidus, and the famous Marc Anthony,
formed a Roman committee of three rulers called a Triumvirate. The Roman
territory was divided between them. Octavian took the west, Anthony the east,
and Marcus Lepidus had the African provinces.
Mark Anthony and Cleopatra
In 40 B.C., Anthony married Octavia, (Octavian’s sister). But when Anthony
left his wife for Cleopatra, Octavian was furious. Having accused Anthony and
Cleopatra of plotting to overtake Rome, Octavian declared war on Egypt. When the
Roman army defeated the two lovers at the battle of Actium, they committed
suicide. Anthony fell on his sword and Cleopatra stung herself with an asp.
Caesar Augustus
With the Triumvirate broken, Octavian took full power, becoming the first
Roman Emperor. The Roman Senate gave him the name Augustus, (which meant The
Exalted.) Where as Julius Caesar was dashing and daring, Augusta Caesar was
practical and prudent. He maintained peace after 100 years of civil war,
controlled the minting of all roman coins, developed a dependable postal
service, improved trade to the provinces, and built roads, bridges, aqueducts
and buildings. Augusta annexed most of southwestern Europe up to the Danube
River, but kept Egypt under his direct control.
The Julian Laws
Augusta’s most interesting endeavor was the creation of the Julian laws. These
morality laws were meant to increase the birth rate by encouraging strong
marriages and discouraging bachelors and adulterers. But even when facing stiff
penalties, most noble Romans failed to live up to August’s standards. Even his
daughter and granddaughter broke the Julian laws by committing adultery. But
Augustus enforced his laws and permanently banished his daughter and his
granddaughter (both of them were named Julia).
August
Augusta lived a long and prosperous life. He died at age 76. After his death,
he was worshiped as a god throughout the Roman empire. We still honor him in
modern times, by calling the 8th month of the year, August.
Return to
Guest Columnist Cornelia Amiri
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