Augustus (-63 to 14)

When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Octavian was expected to be his successor, but at that time Octavian was 18 years old and still studying. Even though Octavian is close to Julius Caesar and is predicted to be his replacement, the road does not necessarily go smoothly. After the emperor's death, Rome went through a political struggle for power.

Many aristocrats and political figures had their eyes on the position of the Roman Emperor, including Octavian. They all engaged in a fierce battle for the Emperor's throne. Octavian eventually allied himself with Mark Anthony who was Julius Caesar's best friend and had a great influence on Julius Caesar's army.

This Octavian ingenuity is paying off. Together with Mark Anthony, Octavian succeeded in seizing Roman power and winning political struggles and finally, Octavian became Roman Emperor. The conquered area was then divided into two, Mark Anthony in the east and Octavian in the west.

During their travels, Octavian and Mark Anthony often disagree over women. The reason is that Anthony is more busy taking care of his woman, namely Cleopatra, rather than taking care of his leadership area, while Octavian is very focused on his territory and does not like Mark Anthony's attitude of not taking care of the country too much. The longer the difference in principle between the two of them became tapered so that war broke out between them. Of course, you can guess who will be the winner. Yes of course Octavian. Meanwhile, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra finally committed suicide.

After Mark Anthony's death, Octavian became the sole ruler of Rome to repeat the success of Julius Caesar. Octavian also received the title Augustus at the age of 30 and his name is more commonly referred to as Caesar Augustus. In fact, the title Augustus was given by the Roman senate which means King. Octavian himself did not think too much of this title and never felt like King. Before leaving Rome, Octavian was known to be violent and assertive, but when he was at the peak of leadership his character changed wise and gentle. This attracted the sympathy of the people and the Roman senate.

In 27 BC, Octavian announced that he would change the royal system of government to the Republic. Octavian's reputation also rose sharply, especially since he was willing to resign from various positions he held. But in fact, he remained in power over Spain, Syria, and Gaul which were the strongest military bases of Rome. In theory, Rome had turned into a Republican and Octavian became an ordinary citizen but in fact, the Roman people and senate really believed in Octavian and gave Octavian any position he wanted because Octavian had won their hearts. Octavian or Augustus himself remained imperceptibly an emperor and an effective dictator in its true sense.

Octavian or Caesar Augustus was very good at ruling Rome. He was truly the true statesman in which he could suppress the rebellion and close the gaps that had the potential to become divisions for the civil war. His dignity and charisma are so high. He became a role model for later Roman leaders. Under his leadership, Rome also managed to expand its territory to Spain, Switzerland, Galatia - Asia Minor. Apart from the conquered territories, Augustus or Octavian is also good at managing government and civil affairs. He overhauled the country's financial and taxation system. Strengthen the armed forces, especially the Navy. He was also the first to establish royal protocol and establish the basics for selecting later Roman leaders and became a reference for appointing leaders.

Augustus also succeeded in developing public facilities and infrastructure such as building an extensive highway network throughout his territory, building beautiful and magnificent public housing, building temples, and encouraging Rome to become a religiously devout state. Fibers define the ways of educating and raising children. Many talented poets and great humanists lived at this time. Like Virgil, Horacc, and Livy, while Ovid, although he was one of the most famous humanists because he often criticized Augustus, was finally expelled from Rome. Octavian or Augustus had no male successors. He then took his adopted son, Tiberius, and determined to be his successor after his death. However, Tiberius and the emperors afterward were not as smart as Augustus and thus suffered a decline. 

Caesar Augustus died in 14 BC. He ruled Rome for 40 years. Under his leadership, Rome was transformed into the pinnacle and center of ancient culture as well as the source of the great nations afterward such as Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and others.