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{{Rome}}

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'''Augustus Caesar''' (63 B.C. - A.D. 14) was the first Roman emperor.  He was originally called Gaius Octavius Thurinus until he changed it per tradition after being adopted by [[Julius Caesar]] in 44 B.C.

| '''Gaius Octavius Thurinus'''<br>23 September 63 BC<br>[[Rome]], Italy

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'''Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus''' (born '''Gaius Octavius Thurinus'''; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) otherwise known as '''Augustus Caesar''', '''Caesar Augustus''', or simply by his [[agnomen]] '''Augustus''' or by his birth [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen]] of '''Octavian'''.  He was the founder of the [[principate]] system of Roman imperial rule upon the collaps of the [[Roman Republic]] and reigned as the first Roman emperor ushering the Roman world into its [[Pax Romana]].

 

 

 

 

 

The 23rd of September 63 BC saw the first screams of the infant born ''Gaius Octavius'' from a small property known as 'Ox Head' on the [[Palatine Hill]] in [[Rome]], [[Italy]].  His father's family (gens Octavius), while being of [[plebeian]] rank evidenced a high rank therein as they came from the nearby town of [[Velletri]] where the main street was named 'Octavius' and the altar there dedicated by an Octavius.<ref>[[Suetonius]], ''The Twelve Caesars'', Augustus</ref>  While his mother [[Atia]] (then about 22 years old) was the daughter to [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar's]] older sister [[Julia Minor]]; this made young ''Gaius Octavius'' the great nephew of [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]].

 

The man who would later become Augustus was born as Octavian from the gens Julia, an extremely ancient Roman family of [[patrician]]s.  The Julii were, despite their nobility, fairly unknown before [[Julius Caesar]] revived the fame of the clan, and were also fairly poor, despite their claim to direct descent from the goddess [[Venus]].  During his childhood Octavian was educated in Greek [[philosophy]] in [[Athens]].  His mother was [[Atia]], and he had a sister, [[Octavia Minor]].

[[Image:397px-Statue-Augustus.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The statue of Augustus Caesar, ''[[Augustus of the Prima Porta]].'' Discussed extensively in Zanker's text (cited ''infra''), the statue exemplifies Augustus' shift towards a Greek-influenced portraiture.]]The man who would later become Augustus was born as Octavian from the gens Julia, an extremely ancient Roman family of [[patrician]]s.  The Julii were, despite their nobility, fairly unknown before [[Julius Caesar]] revived the fame of the clan, and were also fairly poor, despite their claim to direct descent from the goddess [[Venus]].  During his childhood Octavian was educated in Greek [[philosophy]] in [[Athens]].  His mother was [[Atia]], and he had a sister, [[Octavia Minor]].

In Greece, and in Rome, Octavian gained two friends who would remain with him for his professional life: [[Myceneas]], and Marcus Vipsanius [[Agrippa]].  The three were fast friends, especially in adolescence.

In Greece, and in Rome, Octavian gained two friends who would remain with him for his professional life: [[Myceneas]], and Marcus Vipsanius [[Agrippa]].  The three were fast friends, especially in adolescence.

==The Great Shift & the Constitutional Settlement==

==The Great Shift & the Constitutional Settlement==

[[Image:CivicCrown.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A denarius of Augusuts' ''corona civica'', awarded for "saving the citizens" (''ob civis servato'').]]

[[Image:CivicCrown.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A denarius of Augusuts' ''corona civica'', awarded for "saving the citizens" (''ob civis servato'').]]

After the battle of Actium, Octavian stayed out of Rome for several years, securing the allegiance of the provinces, before returning to Rome in Triple [[Triumph]] over the Enemies of Rome.  He never mentioned his battle against Antony as a battle against a Roman: he phrased it as a defeat of Egypt, seen clearly in coins minted during this time carrying the inscription ‘’aegypta capta’’, or “Egypt Held Captive.”

After the battle of Actium, Octavian stayed out of Rome for several years, securing the allegiance of the provinces, before returning to Rome in Triple [[Triumph]] over the Enemies of Rome.  He never mentioned his battle against Antony as a battle against a Roman: he phrased it as a defeat of Egypt, seen clearly in coins minted during this time carrying the inscription ‘’aegypta capta’’, or “Egypt Held Captive.”

On his deathbed, Augustus is said to have uttered a number of cryptic remarks.  First, he is said to have uttered, “have I not played my part well?  Then all clap as the actor leaves the stage,” perhaps suggesting that Augustus did indeed intend Rome to be a monarchy, with him as a democratic leader in name only.  He is also said to have remarked, “behold, for I found Rome of clay, and I leave her to you of marble.”

On his deathbed, Augustus is said to have uttered a number of cryptic remarks.  First, he is said to have uttered, “have I not played my part well?  Then all clap as the actor leaves the stage,” perhaps suggesting that Augustus did indeed intend Rome to be a monarchy, with him as a democratic leader in name only.  He is also said to have remarked, “behold, for I found Rome of clay, and I leave her to you of marble.”

Luke 2:1 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Augustus Caesor, that all the world should be taxed.

 

[[Commentary: Daniel 11, Anthony's Historicist Study Aid|Anthony's Historicist Study Aid]] argues, as is common enough thought, that '''Caesar Augustus''' can only be the raiser of taxes references who dies peacably in [[Commentary: Daniel 11, Anthony's Historicist Study Aid|Daniel 11:20]].

== References ==

== References ==