Augustus Caesar

63 BCE – 14 CE

First Roman Emperor who transformed Rome from a republic into an empire and ushered in the Pax Romana.

rulerancient romeemperor

Born Gaius Octavius, Augustus was the grandnephew and adopted heir of Julius Caesar. After Caesar's assassination, he defeated his rivals (including Mark Antony and Cleopatra) and became the sole ruler of Rome in 27 BCE. Rather than calling himself king or dictator, he took the title "Augustus" (revered one) and maintained the appearance of republican government while holding absolute power. He reorganized the Roman military, built roads and aqueducts, reformed taxation, established a police force, and ushered in the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and prosperity across the empire. His reign is considered the beginning of the Roman Empire and one of the most transformative periods in Western history.