Octavian Ideology

The Effectiveness of Octavian in Enlisting Senatorial Support for his New Administration in the Period 30 to 19 BC.

In the hit movie “Cleopatra”, Octavian’s character is adapted for the movie and does not precisely describe his true quality. In reality, Octavian was a brave ruler who loved to fight. “The movie portrays him in a very negative light, also showing him to be a physical coward who avoided wine, woman, and gambling” (Cane, 13). For example, Octavian is shown as weak when he does not participate in the battle of Philippi because he is sick. Although it is true that Octavian was prone to sickness, he was not a coward, and often showed significant bravery in battle. For instance, Octavian was certainly brave and determined to gain control over the Roman Empire and defeat Antony. In an epic sea battle off the coast of Southwest Greece” (Gill)”, Octavian was undoubtedly active in fighting (successfully) for his position and power. Also, Octavian is misrepresented when portrayed as stingy, never taking part in his own wars, never drinking, or concerning himself with women. In reality, for example “Octavian actually loved gambling with dice and indulged in extramarital affairs” (Cane 14). The writers and producers of the movie probably altered Octavian’s character to make a contrast and set apart his character from the other main men in the plot. The main

Octavian was an effective leader because he was humble and generous to the Roman citizens. Octavian was not power hungry and did not enjoy being called “Lord” or “Sire”. As Octavian states in Document C, “When the dictatorship was offered to me, I did not accept it” (Document C). Octavian did not want the dictatorship because he did not want too much power. He wanted the Roman government to be equal.

Octavian, while seeking after numerous procedures like Caesar's, he managed his enemies in a more successful way. Octavian too went into a Trium viral agreement in 43 B.C. with Marc Athony and Lepidus, this time an open understanding ratified by the Senate. Given control, the Triumvirate chose to issue a proscription against their political foes, such as Caesar's conspirators, a procedure utilized beforehand by Sulla. Notwithstanding expelling their political foes, a proscription would give truly necessary financial help to the Triumvirate from confiscated assets. The proscription prompted numerous deaths. Subsequently, Octavian was without big enemies inside the city of Rome. Both Roman custom and political strategy directed that Octavian

(Source 1). "The benefits of life under Augustus were too great to throw away lightly". Octavian kept the people and the Senate happy, they weren't inclined to rebel and Rome was its turmoil, allowing it to flourish and grow to be an empire remembered forever. This peace was made possible by Octavian who became a devoted leader but also listened and controlled the senate very carefully, which his predecessor, Julius Caesar, failed to do. He understood the treatment of the senate would allow the people to adore him because in their hearts it reminded them of the former

Octavian Augustus is one of the fiercest leaders in the history of the Roman Empire because of his successful military expansion, his Control of Finance, and his political leadership.

First, Octavian appears to be a very strong individual. Octavian was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. Just being the adopted

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian hereinafter referred to “Augustus”, was given the title of imperium by age of 19, to gain this, he amassed a private army and marched on the Senate in Revenge for his adopted father’s murder. Augustus developed a peaceful and cultural Ancient Rome . In contrast, both Caesar and Sulla before him, were appointed to dictator under the Lex Valeria (Valerian law) , both had ultimate goals of monarchy, but where Caesar, used the people to ascertain if this would be accepted , Sulla ruled with an iron fist.

Octavian enabled the long, nonviolent time of the Pax Romana, (Latin for Roman peace) by changing Rome from a frail, collapsing republican government to a powerful empire. He is known as the first, and one of the greatest, Roman Emperors ever. Octavian was born on September 23, 63 BC, and died in 14 AD. Born with the name Gaius Octavius Thurinus, he was adopted posthumously by his great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar via his will, and then was named Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. This happened in 44 BC when his great uncle, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by a group of conspirators. Additionally, he received the name “Augustus” a term meaning “the revered one” from the Roman Senate in 27 BC. Because of the various names he had, it is

Octavian engaged in conquest to secure the borders and promote the arts of government within them. Octavian was ultimately setting the bar for future leaders that would follow his reign. (Cassar, 2005:176).

Julius Caesar's reign was an unfavorable and chaotic period for Rome, and after his death, a large portion of the empire was handed down to his adopted son, Gaius Octavian. From the ashes of his father, Octavian was able to build an Empire unparalleled. Later, the name Augustus was given to him by Senate. Augustus ostensibly maintained the form of the Roman Republic while in actuality creating the Roman Empire. He introduced the administrative reforms that led to the Pax Romana with its flourishing of trade and the arts. Although Augustus's ascension to power could have not been without it bequested by Julius, it was his use of art and propaganda that reinforced the legitimacy his position.

Although there are many reasons to why Augustus succeed in obtaining the one-man rule in Rome and why Caeser failed, but there two specific are that are very significant. Augustus dealt with his enemies more effectively than Caeser, while at the same time, presented his assumptions of absolute power as consistent with, rather than opposition of, both the laws and values of the republic.

Octavian knew that he needed to reform the government because the old way was not

Augustus' familial ties with Caesar are perhaps most important in his ascension to power. While just a boy he had no public image or standing therefore he had no power according to Roman culture. He was not recognized as anyone of importance in the eyes of the senate or citizenry of The Republic. However when taken under the wing of Caesar, one of the most powerful and loved men in all of Rome, he marches with him in the victory parades of Caesar's military conquest of Africa, Rome's newest conquest which included Egypt and it's infamous Queen Cleopatra. He also accompanied Caesar into battle in his final conquest of Spain. These events placed Octavius into the spotlight of public life where according to the Roman ideologies of courage, bravery, strength, loyalty, military conquest, glory and honor he won their praise and acceptance. He was also a noted scholar, tactician and aristocrat; a gifted orator, he embodied everything it meant to be a citizen of Rome, honorable, courageous, brilliant and cunning.

     As a young adolescent, Octavian demonstrated his leadership ability long before having thoughts of becoming the first emperor of Rome. His strengths, features, and accomplishments as a military leader show only a part of his great political skills he possessed.