2. Octavian is the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. After Julius Caesar’s assassination there was a competition for power between Mark Anthony, Caesar’s first lieutenant, and Octavian. Mark Anthony and Queen Cleopatra joined forces against Octavian. The issue on power was then resolved at Actium in 31 B.C.E. At this time Octavian’s navy routed Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra. In 43 B.C.E, Octavian used force to gain approval by the government to rule for life. Octavian was given the title of Augustus, the Revered One. Octavian’s goal was to repair Rome and improve the living environment. His reign took place during an era known as Pax Romana, which was a time of peace and stability. During his reign he terminated civil wars. There was commercial …show more content…
The Romans adopted the Greek Classical Style for their architecture. This is mainly because the Romans were not expecting the extensive expansion that took place during this time period. Therefore, their architecture was less artistic and more practical in nature. Even though they did not create their own style, they did take the Classical style and modified certain aspects of it becoming what is known as Roman architecture. One of the largest structures in Rome is the Colosseum. The Colosseum opened in 80 CE under the Emperor Titus and stands in the center of Rome. This amphitheater covers six acres of land, has a circumference of 527 meters, a height of 48 ½ meters and seats around 50,000 individuals. The amount of people the Colosseum accommodated exhibits the massive Roman population. The Colosseum consisted of three floor levels above the arena floor. The first level is made with Doric columns, the second uses Ionic columns, and the third level contains of Corinthian columns. Each level was designed to seat a specific social class. The different levels emphasized the strict class system of the Empire. At the roof level, there was material that would be stretched over the arena, by pulleys, to provide shade. There were corridors and rooms that were hidden under the floor that were used to lift up the gladiators and animals to the arena floor. The exterior of the Colosseum was covered with white marble. The architecture of this structure is still used today, for …show more content…
The Latin cross has a long arm with a short one crossing it on one end. This cross is used in early Christian architecture. When building medieval churches in the West, the Latin cross plan was followed. Saint Peter’s and Saint Paul’s basilica demonstrate the use of the Latin cross. The architecture of both of these churches were molded off of the Latin cross. The north and south arms of the transept extend to form a Latin cross. “Crossing the transept, one continued toward the triumphal arch that framed the apse, the semicircular space beyond the transept. In the apse, at an altar that stood on a raised platform, one received the sacrament of Holy Communion” (Fiero 182). The Greek cross has four arms of equal length. This cross is used in Byzantine architecture. The Hagia Sophia is an example of the Greek cross plan, even though the Latin cross plan was incorporated into this structure. Hagia Sophia was constructed by the East Roman emperor Justinian. Light is symbolic to Byzantine liturgy so the mosaics and marble surfaces were illuminated. Once Constantinople fell, the Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque and the mosaics were removed. “Hagia Sophia marks the golden age of Byzantine art and architecture that took place under the leadership of the emperor Justinian” (Fiero 186). The Latin cross plan directs the eye toward the alter, the Greek cross plan directs the eye upward towards the
Octavian was favored by Caesar from an early age. In 48 Caesar had his fifteen-year-old great-nephew elected to the priestly college of the pontifices, and he also enrolled him in the hereditary patrician aristocracy of Rome: Octavian joined Caesar in 46 B.C.E on campaign against Pompey in Spain. Later, Octavian was sent to Apollonia, on the coast of Greece, to attempt to finish his education. While in Apollonia, Octavian trained with Roman legions stationed there. Only months after arriving in Apollonia, Octavian learned that Caesar was murdered. He also learned that he was named as the beneficiary in Caesar’s will and had been formally adopted as his son. The will thrust tremendous power on Octavian. He was now the leader of a great army ready to follow the commands of Caesar’s heir. Octavian used this army to occupy Rome and force the Senate to make him consul. Marc Antony, who had been consul with Caesar, was now forced to create the alliance with Lepidus, a high priest, and Octavian. The three leaders divided the land that Rome had conquered. Antony controlled the East and Octavian the West. Lepidus controlled Africa. The leaders led a ruthless campaign to punish Caesar¹s assassins but soon turned on each other. Octavian first attacked Lepidus and took control of Africa and all of Italy. Antony strained relations between Octavian and himself by divorcing Octavian’s sister, in favor of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Finally, in
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.
Emperor Augustus was the most influential emperor in the history of the Roman Empire. He was also the first emperor of the Roman Empire. His real name was Octavian, but he was given the name Augustus when he took over as emperor. From early on in his life, he was an established leader. He began wearing a toga at just age sixteen, which is the Roman sign of manhood. He began to take on the responsibilities associated with his family’s connections. His uncle was Julius Caesar, who was leader of Rome before he became emperor. Octavian fought along his uncle in battle. From early on in his life, Octavian had the qualities of an impressive leader, and he showed these qualities later in his life.
He returned Home to peace after defeated Anthony and took credit for “restoring the republic” (Citation). He first suggested to the Senate to give him an impressive amount of provincial command and became the legal commander of most of the Roman army. Octavian begins to gain the trust and powerful positions that will prepare him to take over the Senate, especially after letting governors appointed by the Senate govern his provinces. “Through this arrangement, Octavian showed respect to the Senate” (Citation). Respecting the Senate while taking over it was the strategy that Caesar had missed while taking over, and the determined Octavian was not going to make the same mistake. The day Octavian received the name of Augustus is the day of the beginning of the Roman Empire, and after resigned from the consulship, Augusts received and a power of command that covered the entire Roman world from the Senate. But the Senate couldn’t stop Octavian from taking over the Empire because they had also named him with the power of a tribune, and he could veto any actions he wanted along with offering legislation. Octavian had the power to control Rome’s legal system without anyone stopping him because it was illegal to do
Julius Caesar was a Roman politician, military general, and dictator of the Roman Republic. Caesar expanded the Roman Republic through a series of battles across Europe before declaring himself dictator for life. A powerful political figure, Caesar launched a series of political and social reforms before being assassinated by a group of nobles in the Senate House on the Ides of March. Although Caesar was only dictator for a year, his political and military leadership, along with his effluence on his nephew Octavian, changed the course of the Roman Republic forever. Julius Caesar was born into an aristocratic family in Rome in 100 BC.
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
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.
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.
Shortly after Caesar was betrayed by his own people (led by the republican nobles Brutus and Gaius Cassius) his great nephew and adopted heir Octavian, joined forces with Mark Antony to crush Brutus and Cassius and divided power in Rome with ex-consul Lepidus, in what was known as the Second Triumvirate. With Octavian leading the west, and Antony the east, a tension was soon to be developed, because the greed of power is inevitable. Around 31 B.C Octavian triumphed over Antony and crushed him in the battle of Actium, and by 29 B.C Octavian was sole ruler and leader of Rome, and all its provinces. To avoid meeting Caesar’s fate, he made sure to make his position as absolute ruler acceptable to the public by apparently restoring the political
In 44 B.C., at age seventeen, Octavius went to Apollonia to finish his academic and military training. While in Apollonia, Octavius learned of the assassination of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. Upon his return to Rome, he found out that Caesar’s will made him, Caesar’s adopted son and heir to his political and personal fortune. Octavius was advised not to accept the inheritance because of his youth and inexperience in Roman politics. Nonetheless, he accepted his inheritance. As a result of his adoption and Roman custom protocol, Octavius’ name changed to Gaius Julius Caesar (hereafter “Octavian”), which was necessary for securing military support and funds. Julius Caesar’s supporters, including many from the Senate, rallied around Octavian
Octavian had the enormous military behind him for support. He asked the senate that Cassius and Brutus be put on a “most wanted” list. Caser’s supporter came together and became an even stronger power against his killers and it was a big advantage. The 3 left back after Caser died (Lepidus, Octavian, and Antony) disbursed the land among the 3 of them and had each take control in their assigned territories. Octavian gained control over African territories therefore giving him control of the Senate (Casers Reign, pg. 10).
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.
The Colosseum was first built in 70-80 CE in Regio IV Templum Pacis, which is in Rome Italy today. Measuring some 620 by 513 feet, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the Roman world. Unlike many earlier amphitheaters, which had been dug into hillsides to provide adequate support, the Colosseum was a freestanding structure made of stone and concrete. The Colosseum could seat up to 80 thousand people. The Colosseum was a gift to the Roman people from Emperor Vespasian.
Octavius Augustus Ceasar is probably the most important person in the history of Rome. Octavius ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD. During his time as ruler, the Roman Empire experienced its longest time of peace. Because he knew his people, had a strong military background, knew how to solve problems, Patience, and created a new government, this is why Octavius “Augustus” Ceasar was a great leader.
Augustus was born as Gaius Octavius on September 23, 63 B.C. (Richardson 4). Showing promise as young man, his great uncle, Julius Caesar, took special interest in him, giving him jobs and experience in the political world. Caesar eventually developed a relationship so close with him that he considered Octavius his adopted son (Shotter, Ch. 2). When Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, his murderers, Brutus and Cassius, “had no plans for the future other than believing that the death of the tyrant would automatically lead to the Restorations of the Republic,” and instead “plunged Rome into a fresh round of civil conflict for thirteen more years” (Shotter Ch. 2; Bentley et al. 223). This problem sets up the need for a political figure to fix these pressing issues, and harboring