Ancient Rome - 14 AD Augustus AV Aureus NGC AU

Octavian/Augustus ( Imperātor Caesar Dīvī Fīlius Augustus), 23 September 63 BC--19 August 14 AD, founded the Roman Principate and is considered the first emperor of Rome, ruling the Roman Empire from 27 BC until he died in AD 14. He was born Gaius Octavius (Octavian). Julius Caesar, who was assassinated in 44 BC, was his maternal great-uncle. Octavian was named in Caesar's will as his adopted son and heir to the throne. The Second Triumvirate was formed by himself, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus in order to defeat the killers of Julius Caesar. After being victorious at the Battle of Philippi, they divided the Roman Republic among themselves and ruled as military dictators. The Triumvirate was torn apart by conflicts among the three men. Lepidus was exiled and stripped of his power. Conflicts between Octavian and Antony led to the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Octavian won and Antony took his own life after his defeat.

It was after 27 BC that Octavian became known as Augustus. After the Second Triumvirate fell apart, Augustus brought back the outward trappings of the Roman Republic. That included governmental power being held by the Roman Senate, executive magistrates, and legislative assemblies. However, in reality he kept all of his power over the Republic as a military dictator. Legally, Augustus had powers granted to him for life by the Senate, which included supreme military commander, and those of censor and tribune. He disliked monarchial titles, calling himself Princeps Civitatis ("First Citizen of the State"). The constitutional framework he developed came to be called the Principate, the initial phase of the Roman Empire. Augustus' reign began an era of relative peace called the Pax Romana ("The Roman Peace"). He enlarged the Empire greatly, annexing Egypt, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum, and Raetia. Also he expanded possessions in Africa, moved into Germania, and finished the conquest of Hispania. Augustus reformed the Roman taxation system, developed an infrastructure of roads with an official courier system, created a standing army and the Praetorian Guard, developed police and fire-fighting services for Rome, and rebuilt much of Rome during his rule. In 14 he died at 75. More than likely he died from natural causes, but there are rumors that he was poisoned by his wife Livia. His adopted son, Tiberius, succeeded him on the throne.