Augustus Caesar: The Rise And Fall Of The Roman Empire

“I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.” Octavian “Augustus” Caesar became the sole ruler of Rome in 31 BC when he defeated Antony at the battle of Actium. After acting as a benevolent statesman into a position of power, eighteen-year-old Augustus turned his attention to becoming the dictator of the mightiest empire to ever exist. Originally marching on Rome after his adoptive father was assassinated on the senate floor marked his inherited ambition. Not only did Octavian ascend into power, but stage managed a performance that seemed to all to be long awaited peace while taking away every individuals rights. His use of sleight of hand was perhaps one of the greatest political tricks ever played. Why? He managed to make

A Civil War left Rome fractured and chaotic. No decisions were being made and the senate was no longer concerned with the wishes of the people. The average Roman was fed up and looking for a since of security. Peace could only be brought to Rome if there was someone in charge that could at least make a decision (Baker 157). When an opportunity presented itself, Octavian was not slow to react. He got into character, and marched on Rome as a statesman ready to put on a show. He came in as a cold pragmatist looking to destroy those who fractured Rome for so long. He immediately made Brutus and Cassius enemies of the state for killing the former tyrant Caesar. Octavian then appealed to the people by tapping into the ancient morals of Rome. He made

Acting as a stage manager, he played the main role (Baker 157). Who else made up the show? Everyone else played an extra in the Octavian spectacular. He carefully calculated his rise to power to the point that it seemed like everyone was simply following a script he wrote up. He kept the people distracted with the Games of the Ages (Baker 156). He set up a spectacular presentation of Gladiatorial games and made other ties into Rome’s heritage. Octavian captivated people that had been forgotten about in the aristocratic civil wars. He slowly was gaining support from the people disguised in free entertainment. Meanwhile he was wearing down the power of the senators. He made legislation saying that senators not playing by his rules could be penalized (Baker 168). Not only that, but he was playing off his power in the name of the “Old Republic”. Again, going back to his goal to bring back the Republic Romans used to know. Octavian wanted the illusion of the separation of power and the senate properly representing the people. One of his greatest setups, however, was presenting the battle of Actium as a battle of Roman values against those of the black magic Egyptians (Baker 160). He set the stage for when Agrippa defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra it would be as if Roman values had won and were going to be