アウグストゥス

Augustus Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian Augustus　(B.C.63～A.D.14) was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He was adopted for Julius Caesar, and after Caesar's death, he changed Rome from the republic to the imperial government that was Caesar's aim. He made the Golden Age of Rome, and peace of Rome "Pax Romana." Also, he got many political achivements that we can feel now. This paper will examine Octavian's obscure days, his adoptive father Caesar's death, his joining the Second Triumvirate, his political strife against opponents, his becoming Emperor, and his political achievements.

Octavian was born in September 23 in 63B.C. His father was Octavius , and his mother was Atia who was a niece of Julius Caesar who was the Roman lifelong dictator. Octavius was an ambitious man, but he died in 58B.C. Then, Octavian was an obscure person, so there were not much historical records. In 45B.C., Octavian made two friends, Agrippa and Maecenas. Agrippa would support Octavian in military because Octavian was not good at tactics. Maecenas would support Octavian in culture: literature and the arts. In 44B.C., Caesar wanted to have Octavian, and Octavian became Caesar's adopted son. The reason was mystery. Octavian wanted to join Caesar's expedition to Spain, but he was ill, so he late a few days to join this expedition. Then, he took Agrippa with this expedition. It was his first campaign.

On March 15 in 44B.C., the biggest event for Octavian happened. Julius Caesar was assassinated by republicians in other words "Anti-Caesarians" including Burutus and Cassius. Then, Octavian was preparing for expedition to Parthia at Apollonia. Octavian hurried to Rome. Caesar had written in his will that about Octavian was successor, so he was able to call-up Caesar's ex-serviceman easily. In this year, Marc Antony who was a Roman politician and general was a consul that was one of the strongest politician of Rome. He had strong authority , and he was Caesar's friend, so in November Antony was surrounding Decimus Brutus at Modena because Brutus killed Caesar. Cicero who was a greate Senate member turned against Antony as using Octavian. Octavian had pretended to obey Cicero. Cicero ordered Octavian and the consuls of 43B.C., Hirtius and Pansa, to defeat Antony in Battle. They went to Modena to defeat Antony, and they defeated Antony's legion at two battles. It was called "The Battle of Modena." However, two consuls were killed in those battles. Therefore, people recognized the victory was Octavian's meritorious deed. Immediately, Octavian demanded the job of consul to Senate with Antony because the consuls were killed, and he wanted stronger authority. It was his coup d'etat. Senate tried to fight against Octavian, but senate's legions went over to Octavian because Roman legions were faithful to Caesar. As a result, he got consulship and the strongest authorities.

In 43B.C., Antony, Octavian and Lepidus who was one of Caesarian(those who agree for Caesar's thought) organized the Second Triumvirate. They thought that the Second Triumvirate mission was to rebuild the confusion of Rome. Then, Antony was very angry to the senate because they attacked Antony. Therefore, Triumviri banished republicians of the senate members and executed 130 republician senate members including Cicero without the trial because republician was anti-caesarian.

Next, Triumviri started to revenge for Caesar. They decided to dispose of Marcus Brutus who governed Crete and Cassius who governed Cyrenaica. Those two people were the ringleaders of Caesar assassination. Octavian organized military campaign. Triumviri, meaning members of the Triumvirate, attacked Marc Brutus and Cassius, and confronted Triumvirate's army and Brutus and Cassius' army at Philippi in 42B.C. The early stages of the battle, Burutus and Cassius were in favor. However, them army lose, and they killed themselves. The triumviri won. This battle was named "The Battle of Phillipi." This meaned the finish of avenge. After this, Octavian rewarded his armies. However, it led that the landowner's anger because soldier became to manage the landowners' land. In addition, anti-Octavian group started to disturb Octavian. Those were the first campaign of them.