AUGUSTUS CAIUS JULIUS C/ESAR OCTAVIANUS, originally called Caius Octavius, Roman Emperor, was the son of Caius Octavius and Atia, a daughter of Julia, the sister of Julius He was born 63 a. c., and died 14 A. D. Oc tavius was at Apollonia, in Epirus, when he received news of the death of his uncle (44 B. C.) , who had previously adopted him as his son. He returned to Rome to claim Csar's property and avenge his death, and now took, according to usage, his uncle's name, with the surname Octa vianus. He was aiming secretly at the chief power, but at first he joined the republican party, and assisted at the de feat of Antony at Mutina. He got him self chosen consul in 43. Soon after the first triumvirate was formed between him and Antony and Lepidus, and this was followed by the conscription and assassination of 300 senators and 2,000 knights of the party opposed to the tri umvirate. Next year Octavianus and Antony defeated the republican army un der Brutus and Cassius at Philippi. The victors now divided the Roman world between them, Octavianus getting the West, Antony the East, and Lepidus Africa. Sextus Pompeius, who had made himself formidable at sea, had now to be put down; and Lepidus was deprived of all authority (36 a. c.) and retired into private life. Antony and Octavianus now shared the empire between them; but while the former, in the East, gave him self up to a life of luxury, and alienated the Romans by his alliance with Cleo patra, Octavianus skillfully cultivated popularity, and soon declared war osten sibly against the Queen of Egypt. The
naval victory of Actium, in which the fleet of Antony and Cleopatra was de feated, made Octavianus master of the world, 31 B. C. He returned to Rome 29 B. C. Gradually all the highest offices of state, civil and religious, were united in his hands, and the new title of Augus tus was also assumed by him, being formally conferred by the Senate in 27 B. C. Under him successful wars were carried on in Africa and Asia (against the Parthians), in Gaul and Spain, in Pannonia, Dalmatia, etc.; but the defeat of Varus by the Germans under Armin ius with the loss of three legions, A. D. 9, was a great blow to him in his old age. Many useful decrees proceeded from him, and various abuses were abolished. He adorned Rome in such a manner that it was said, "lie found it of brick, and left it of marble." He was a patron of literature; Vergil and Horace were be friended by him, and their works and those of their contemporaries are the glory of the Augustan Age. His death, which took place at Nola, plunged the empire into the greatest grief. He was thrice married, but had no son, and was succeeded by his stepson Tiberius.