He was the first emperor of Rome, appointed by Julius Caesar. He attended the second triumvirate with Lepidus and Marc Antony. He won the Civil War that broke out following Caesar’s murder at the two battles of Philippi against Brutus and Cassius (who both organized the conspiracy of Caesar’s murder). Rome was split into 3 for each person in the triumvirate where Antony took the East, Lepidus took Spain and some of North Africa while Octavius was given Italy. After Antony married Cleopatra and fled to Egypt, the triumvirate broke up and he defeated Antony and Cleopatra and conquered Egypt while Lepidus was removed from government and soon died, leaving the entire empire to rule himself as emperor. He was criticized by many Romans, especially senators who were opposed the empire and wanted to preserve the republic. Many of these people were put to death. He said that he would bring back the republic but instead remained the emperor and even proclaimed himself as a god or holy figure. (It shows how human nature is power hungry as all throughout history rich and powerful people became corrupt, and refused to step down). Temples and statues were built to him and the month august was named after him as another name for him was “Augustus.” He set up the Praetorian Guard (a force of bodyguards to the emperor). Overall, he basically set up the system for the Roman Empire which was a government that lasted for about another 500 years.
