Tracing the story of the Rise and Legacy of Augustus, the First Roman Emperor
Before he was Augustus, the imperator who would reshape the Roman world, he was simply Gaius Octavius—born into privilege, yes, but hardly destined for an empire. His story is not one of instant glory, but of calculated survival, relentless ambition, and a careful manipulation of legacy. Today, his imprint still echoes across Europe—from the marshy battlefields of Actium to the marble temples of Rome.
A Boy from Velitrae
Octavian was born in 63 BCE in the small town of Velitrae (modern Velletri), southeast of Rome. His father, a wealthy senator, died young. But it was his mother, Atia Balba Caesonia, who ensured his early ascent. She was Julius Caesar’s niece—a connection that would become Octavian’s most powerful asset.
Educated in the rhetorical and philosophical traditions of the Roman elite, Octavian was not a soldier by instinct. He was thin, sickly, and introspective. Ancient sources, like Suetonius, describe a youth who preferred study over sport and who rarely raised his voice. But what he lacked in brute charisma, he made up for in ruthless intelligence and an almost preternatural understanding of Roman power politics.
Did you know? Octavian’s education included time spent in Apollonia, in present-day Albania, where he studied under Greek philosophers and military advisors. You can still walk the ancient ruins of Apollonia, including its amphitheater and stoa, where he likely debated with tutors and imagined a future far removed from what would unfold.
The Unexpected Heir
When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE, few in Rome gave thought to the teenager quietly studying across the Adriatic. But when Caesar’s will was read, everything changed. Octavian was named Caesar’s adopted son and primary heir. At just 18 years old, he returned to Rome—not in mourning, but in calculation.
He didn’t have the army, the name recognition, or the raw force of men like Mark Antony. But he had timing. And he had Caesar’s name. He quickly took the title Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, then used a shrewd mix of bribes, alliances, and legal maneuvering to build political legitimacy.
He rallied Caesar’s veterans, partnered (briefly) with Antony and Lepidus in the uneasy Second Triumvirate, and began the bloody proscriptions that would eliminate his enemies and fill his war chest.
Site to visit: The Forum of Caesar in Rome, still partially preserved, contains the Temple of Divus Julius—a monument built by Octavian to cement Caesar’s divine status, and, by extension, his own legitimacy as the son of a god.
Battle and Power Consolidation
The defining moment of his rise came in 31 BCE, at the Battle of Actium off the western coast of Greece. Antony and Cleopatra—once allies—now stood against him. Octavian’s admiral, Marcus Agrippa, outmaneuvered the lovers in a decisive naval battle.
Today, you can visit Nikopolis, the city Augustus founded to commemorate his victory. The ancient city’s ruins include a stadium and aqueducts still visible today, laid out in honor of the turning point that gave Rome a new ruler.
📍 Explore it on a private tour from Corfu → View Tour
Following Actium, Octavian returned to Rome not as a dictator, but as something new: a restorer of peace. In 27 BCE, he accepted the title Augustus, meaning “the revered one,” and quietly transformed the Republic into a principate—a monarchy in all but name.
The Man Behind the Mask
Contrary to the marble busts and triumphal arches, Augustus was not a man of indulgent tastes. He ate simply, dressed modestly, and often walked through Rome without an entourage. He read obsessively and surrounded himself with poets and historians—like Virgil, Horace, and Livy—whose work helped construct a cultural mythology around his rule.
Yet this cultured veneer concealed a fierce pragmatism. He exiled his own daughter for scandal, manipulated Senate proceedings with cold precision, and institutionalized a level of surveillance that Rome had never seen before.
Fun fact: Despite his immense power, Augustus never called himself emperor. His preferred title was “Princeps Civitatis”, or “First Citizen of the State.”
Monumental Legacy
As a builder, Augustus reshaped the Roman skyline. “I found Rome a city of bricks,” he famously claimed, “and left it a city of marble.”
- Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace): Commissioned in 13 BCE, this stunning marble monument, still standing near the Tiber River, celebrates peace through imperial strength. Its reliefs show Augustus’s family in procession—an early example of propaganda in stone.
- Mausoleum of Augustus: After falling into ruin for centuries, this enormous tomb has recently reopened to the public. Located in the Campus Martius, it is where Augustus was buried in 14 CE, alongside members of his family. The circular structure was the largest tomb in Rome for centuries and symbolized his eternal presence in the city he ruled.
- The Forum of Augustus: Anchored by the Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger), this forum glorified Augustus’s role as avenger of Caesar and protector of Rome. Visitors today can still walk through fragments of the temple’s podium and columns, with light shows and reconstructions offered in the summer months.
Final Thoughts: The Quiet Power of Octavian
What makes Octavian’s rise so fascinating is not just that he became the first emperor—it’s how he did it. With patience, subtlety, and a mastery of both violence and narrative, he outlasted louder and stronger men.
He was not a conqueror like Alexander. He didn’t need to be. Instead, he built something more enduring—a system, a culture, and an image that survived long after his bones were laid to rest in the city of marble he created.
Planning Your Augustus-Inspired Itinerary
- Rome: Explore the Ara Pacis, Mausoleum of Augustus, and the Forum of Caesar and Augustus.
- 📍 Book your Best of Rome experience with hotel pickup → View Tour
- Velletri: Birthplace of Octavian, worth a visit for those tracing his early life.
- Apollonia, Albania: Where Octavian studied and received word of Caesar’s death.
- Nikopolis, Greece: Site built to honor the victory at Actium.
- Palatine Hill: Augustus’s private residence, portions of which are open to the public.
Pro tip: Many of these sites are included in combo passes or can be explored through guided archaeological walking tours of Rome and the surrounding regions. Be sure to reserve in advance during the summer months.
After his victory at the Battle of Actium and consolidation of power, the Roman Senate granted Octavian the honorary title “Augustus” in 27 BCE. The name, meaning “the revered one,” symbolized his elevated status and marked the beginning of the Roman Empire. From that point forward, he was officially known as Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus.
He was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus in 63 BCE. After being adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar in his will, he became Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, commonly referred to as Octavian. His adoption tied him to Caesar’s legacy, strengthening his claim to leadership.
Augustus rose to power after Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE. As Caesar’s adopted heir, he formed key political alliances, notably the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus, and later defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium. In 27 BCE, he strategically offered to “restore” the Republic, which led the Senate to grant him supreme authority, effectively making him Rome’s first emperor in all but name.
Augustus ushered in the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. He reformed Rome’s tax and legal systems, expanded infrastructure, and sponsored major architectural works like the Ara Pacis, the Forum of Augustus, and his own Mausoleum. He also professionalized the Roman army and solidified imperial rule while preserving the illusion of republican governance.
Augustus is buried in the Mausoleum of Augustus, located in the Campus Martius area of Rome. Built in 28 BCE, it served as the dynastic tomb for the Julio-Claudian family. After decades of closure and restoration, the site was reopened to the public in 2021 and is now accessible as a major archaeological and historical attraction in Rome.
