On this day in 27 BCE, Gaius Octavius - known as Octavian - was awarded the title of Augustus by the Roman Senate, making him the first Roman Emperor. Octavian had been named as heir of his great uncle Julius Caesar and upon Caesarâs assassination in 44 BCE he formed an alliance - the Second Triumvirate - with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and Mark Antony, to rule and take vengeance on Caesarâs assassins. The alliance soon fell apart and the three fought for sole rule of Rome. Octavian emerged victorious after defeating Mark Anthony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. Octavian then set about ârestoringâ the Roman Republic, which had been ruled by Caesar as Dictator, by formally returning power to the Senate. However, in reality the new leader retained considerable power in his person, adopting many titles which became part of the imperial pantheon, including âAugustusâ (which loosely translates as âmagnificentâ), 'princepsâ (first citizen), 'pontifex maximusâ (priest of Roman religion), and 'tribunicia potestasâ (power over the tribune assemblies elected by the people). Augustusâs constitutional system gave way to the birth of the Principate, the first period of the Roman Empire. For his role in shaping the empire, and for the expansion of the imperial possessions during his rule, Augustus is considered the first Roman Emperor. He died in 14 CE, aged 75, and was succeeded by his step-son and adopted heir Tiberius. Augustus thus began the stable line of 'adoptiveâ Roman Emperors, which ended with Marcus Aureliusâs decision to name his birth son Commodus, who came to power in 180 CE. Perhaps his most enduring legacy, however, is the name of the eighth month of the Roman calendar - August - which was renamed in his honour.
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