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Questions and Answers
Augustus was the second Roman emperor, following the demise of the republic.
Augustus was the second Roman emperor, following the demise of the republic.
False (B)
The autocratic regime of Augustus is commonly referred to as the magistrate.
The autocratic regime of Augustus is commonly referred to as the magistrate.
False (B)
Gaius Octavius's father was the first member of their family to become a Roman senator.
Gaius Octavius's father was the first member of their family to become a Roman senator.
True (A)
At the age of 12, Gaius Octavius made his public debut by delivering the eulogy for his mother.
At the age of 12, Gaius Octavius made his public debut by delivering the eulogy for his mother.
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Gaius Octavius accompanied Julius Caesar to Spain after Caesar's victory in Africa.
Gaius Octavius accompanied Julius Caesar to Spain after Caesar's victory in Africa.
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Julius Caesar appointed Gaius Octavius as his chief personal heir in his will.
Julius Caesar appointed Gaius Octavius as his chief personal heir in his will.
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At the time of his adoption, Gaius Octavius was older than 21 years of age.
At the time of his adoption, Gaius Octavius was older than 21 years of age.
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Augustus' original name was Gaius Octavius, later changed to Julius Caesar Octavianus after his adoption.
Augustus' original name was Gaius Octavius, later changed to Julius Caesar Octavianus after his adoption.
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Octavian began using "Imperator" as a prefix to his name to indicate his supreme command.
Octavian began using "Imperator" as a prefix to his name to indicate his supreme command.
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Octavian fought campaigns in modern-day France and Spain to protect Italy.
Octavian fought campaigns in modern-day France and Spain to protect Italy.
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Octavian publicly denounced Antony's gifts to Cleopatra, which provoked tension between them.
Octavian publicly denounced Antony's gifts to Cleopatra, which provoked tension between them.
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The triumvirate ended in 35 BCE after a dispute between Octavian and Antony.
The triumvirate ended in 35 BCE after a dispute between Octavian and Antony.
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Following Antony’s divorce of Octavia, Octavian presented Antony's will as evidence of Cleopatra's power over him.
Following Antony’s divorce of Octavia, Octavian presented Antony's will as evidence of Cleopatra's power over him.
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Octavian declared war directly against Antony.
Octavian declared war directly against Antony.
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The Battle of Actium took place in the Gulf of Corinth.
The Battle of Actium took place in the Gulf of Corinth.
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At the Battle of Actium, only a small portion of Antony's fleet was able to escape with him and Cleopatra.
At the Battle of Actium, only a small portion of Antony's fleet was able to escape with him and Cleopatra.
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Octavian established the Roman principate system, which gave him absolute control.
Octavian established the Roman principate system, which gave him absolute control.
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Octavian and Agrippa conducted a census of the civil population and reduced the Senate to 400 members.
Octavian and Agrippa conducted a census of the civil population and reduced the Senate to 400 members.
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Mark Antony, upon finding Caesar's papers, immediately handed over all the funds to Octavius.
Mark Antony, upon finding Caesar's papers, immediately handed over all the funds to Octavius.
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Cicero, a noted Roman orator, fully recognized and utilized Octavius's abilities.
Cicero, a noted Roman orator, fully recognized and utilized Octavius's abilities.
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Octavius gained popularity by instituting public games that were initially created by Caesar.
Octavius gained popularity by instituting public games that were initially created by Caesar.
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The Senate, supported by Cicero, initially requested Octavius's help in their campaign to defeat Antony.
The Senate, supported by Cicero, initially requested Octavius's help in their campaign to defeat Antony.
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Octavius officially secured his status as Caesar’s adoptive son, and chose to be referred to as “Octavianus”.
Octavius officially secured his status as Caesar’s adoptive son, and chose to be referred to as “Octavianus”.
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The Second Triumvirate was made up of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus.
The Second Triumvirate was made up of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus.
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Following their dictatorial appointment, the members of the Second Triumvirate divided the entire Roman Empire among themselves and their allies
Following their dictatorial appointment, the members of the Second Triumvirate divided the entire Roman Empire among themselves and their allies
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After the battles of Philippi, Octavian was allotted the east, while Antony returned to Italy.
After the battles of Philippi, Octavian was allotted the east, while Antony returned to Italy.
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To appease Sextus Pompeius, Octavian married his relative Scribonia, and they remained married for life.
To appease Sextus Pompeius, Octavian married his relative Scribonia, and they remained married for life.
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The treaty of Brundisium led to Antony marrying Octavian's younger sister, Octavia.
The treaty of Brundisium led to Antony marrying Octavian's younger sister, Octavia.
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Octavian sent troops to help Antony in his battle against Parthia, fulfilling their treaty agreement.
Octavian sent troops to help Antony in his battle against Parthia, fulfilling their treaty agreement.
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Marcus Agrippa's naval genius was instrumental in the victory over Sextus Pompeius.
Marcus Agrippa's naval genius was instrumental in the victory over Sextus Pompeius.
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Lepidus voluntarily resigned his position in the triumvirate following Octavian’s victory over Sextus Pompeius.
Lepidus voluntarily resigned his position in the triumvirate following Octavian’s victory over Sextus Pompeius.
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Octavian carefully avoided creating any rivals in order to maintain his power.
Octavian carefully avoided creating any rivals in order to maintain his power.
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Octavian adopted Apollo, the classical god of order, as his patron, which was quite similar to Antony's less Roman Dionysus.
Octavian adopted Apollo, the classical god of order, as his patron, which was quite similar to Antony's less Roman Dionysus.
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Flashcards
Who was Augustus?
Who was Augustus?
The first Roman emperor who ruled after the Roman Republic was overthrown by Julius Caesar, his adoptive father.
What was the Principate?
What was the Principate?
The period of Roman history during which Augustus ruled, marked by a shift from a Republic to an Empire.
What does "princeps" mean?
What does "princeps" mean?
The official title given to Augustus, emphasizing his position as the 'first citizen' and head of the Roman state.
What was Augustus' original name?
What was Augustus' original name?
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What were some of Augustus' accomplishments?
What were some of Augustus' accomplishments?
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How did Augustus impact Rome?
How did Augustus impact Rome?
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What was Augustus' role in achieving Pax Romana?
What was Augustus' role in achieving Pax Romana?
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What does the title "Augustus" signify?
What does the title "Augustus" signify?
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Octavian's use of "Imperator"
Octavian's use of "Imperator"
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Octavian's coins
Octavian's coins
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Octavian's Illyrian campaigns
Octavian's Illyrian campaigns
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Octavian's investment in Rome
Octavian's investment in Rome
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Octavian's denouncement of Antony
Octavian's denouncement of Antony
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The end of the triumvirate
The end of the triumvirate
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The Battle of Actium
The Battle of Actium
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Octavian's conquest of Egypt
Octavian's conquest of Egypt
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The Roman principate
The Roman principate
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Octavian's army reform
Octavian's army reform
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Who was Mark Antony?
Who was Mark Antony?
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Who was Octavius?
Who was Octavius?
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Who was Marcus Junius Brutus?
Who was Marcus Junius Brutus?
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Who was Gaius Cassius Longinus?
Who was Gaius Cassius Longinus?
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Who was Cicero?
Who was Cicero?
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What was the Second Triumvirate?
What was the Second Triumvirate?
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What was the Proscription?
What was the Proscription?
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What was the outcome of the Battle of Philippi?
What was the outcome of the Battle of Philippi?
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What was the Perusine War?
What was the Perusine War?
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Who was Sextus Pompeius?
Who was Sextus Pompeius?
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What was the Treaty of Brundisium?
What was the Treaty of Brundisium?
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What was the significance of Octavian's marriage to Livia Drusilla?
What was the significance of Octavian's marriage to Livia Drusilla?
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What was the outcome of the war between Octavian and Sextus Pompeius?
What was the outcome of the war between Octavian and Sextus Pompeius?
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Who was Marcus Agrippa?
Who was Marcus Agrippa?
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Who was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa?
Who was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa?
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Study Notes
Early Life and Rise of Octavian (Augustus)
- Born Gaius Octavius on September 23, 63 BCE; died August 19, 14 CE.
- From a prosperous family in Velitrae.
- Father was a senator and praetor.
- Mother, Atia, was the daughter of Julius Caesar's sister.
- Julius Caesar was instrumental in launching Octavian's career.
- Delivered a funeral oration for his grandmother at age 12.
- Became a member of the priestly college (pontifices).
- Accompanied Caesar on military campaigns.
- Became Caesar's adopted son and heir in 44 BCE.
- Faced opposition from Mark Antony, who refused to relinquish Caesar's assets.
- Successfully aligned himself with Caesar's troops and the Senate.
- Became consul in spite of his youth.
- Officially adopted by Caesar and took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus.
- Avoided adding Octavianus to his adopted name.
- Became known as Octavian until adopting the name Augustus.
The Second Triumvirate
- Formed the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus in 43 BCE.
- A five-year dictatorial appointment to reconstitute the republic.
- Divided the Roman world amongst themselves, the east to Antony and the west to Octavian.
- A list of "proscribed" political enemies was drawn up (execution of 300 senators, 2000 equites).
- Julius Caesar was declared a god of the Roman state, enhancing Octavian's prestige.
- Victorious at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE.
- Involved in the Perusine War against Mark Antony's brother.
- Married Scribonia, then divorced her.
Establishing Dominance
- Made an agreement with Mark Antony through the Treaty of Brundisium.
- Allied with Livia Drusilla.
- Continued struggles against Sextus Pompey.
- A new compact with Antony at Tarentum in 37 BCE.
- Renewed the Second Triumvirate until 33 BCE.
- Defeated Sextus Pompeius at Naulochus.
- Deprived Lepidus of his triumviral position.
The Final Conquest
- Rivalry with Antony grew.
- Octavian instigated public opposition to Antony's gifts to Cleopatra.
- Antony divorced Octavia.
- Antony’s will was used to discredit him.
- Declared war on Antony and Cleopatra in 32 BCE.
- Defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE.
- Cleopatra and Antony committed suicide, Octavian annexed Egypt.
Establishing the Principate
- Enabled Octavian to pay off his veterans.
- Retained 150,000 legionnaires and auxiliaries.
- Created/organized a permanent bodyguard - The Praetorians.
- Maintained a network of roads, and efficient fleets.
- Conducted a census (first of three) in 28 BCE.
- Reduced the Senate.
- Appointed president of the Senate in 27 BCE, signaling transition to the principate.
- Transitioned to maintaining absolute control through a series of patient measures.
Augustus and the Roman Empire
- Augustus brought peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world.
- Overhauled every aspect of Roman life.
- One of the major figures of Classical antiquity.
- First Roman emperor, following the republic.
- His autocratic regime was known as the principate.
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Description
This quiz covers the fascinating early life and rise of Gaius Octavius, later known as Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Learn about his family background, relationship with Julius Caesar, and the formation of the Second Triumvirate. Test your knowledge on pivotal moments that shaped his path to power.
