"He subjected the whole wide earth to the rule of the Roman people"

The given name of the famous Roman Emperor Augustus was Gaius Octavianus. He was born on September 23, 63 BC. Some time later he decided to take the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. This happened in 44 BC when his great uncle, Julius Caesar, was assassinated. It is worth mentioning that Julius Caesar adopted Octavian and his will was to make him the head of the empire.

Octavian proved to be a wise politician. Using his abilities he managed with the help of hard political calculations to gain ultimate power in Rome. Octavian did not hold any official position until the assassination of Julius Caesar. When Octavian marched on Rome he obliged the Senate to give him the title of Consul, thus gaining the power over the empire.

A year later together with Marcus Antonius (one of Caesar's major lieutenants) and Marcus Lepidus (Roman General), Octavian created the Second Triumvirate, which would subsequently control the Roman Empire. After its establishment the Second Triumvirate killed thousands of political adversaries and set a firm control over the government.

In 40 BC, Octavia, the sister of Octavian, became the wife of Marcus Antonius, who later left her to be together with Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. The final step that made Octavian declare war on Antony was Marc's decision to give Roman provinces to his children, to whom Cleopatra gave birth. Together with his brilliant general Agrippa, Octavian managed to obtain victory over the fleets of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra. The event took place in 31 BC. A year later the couple committed suicide.

In 27 BC, Octavian received the name Augustus, meaning "the exalted," granted to him by the Roman Senate, which also provided him the legal power to control all of the Rome's affairs, including the political, religious and civil ones. Senate served as an advisory body, which made Octavian the Emperor of Rome.

It is worth mentioning that under Octavian/ Augustus, the Roman Empire managed to gain great glory, with its emperor restoring peace after the long-term 100 years civil war. Octavian was the one to preserve an honest government and safe currency system. He extended the highway system by linking Rome to empire's far provinces. Octavian also created an efficient postal service, improved free trade among provinces and constructed many bridges, aqueducts and buildings, decorated with wonderful works of art made in classical style. Under the rule of Augustus literature saw a great development with the appearance of such authors as Virgil, Horace, Ovid, and Livy, who were living under Octavian's patronage.

The Roman Empire saw a great expansion under the rule of its emperor and his great generals. He took control of Spain and Gaul (today France), Panonia and Dalmatia (which are parts of Hungary and Croatia today). He linked to Rome the territories of Egypt and the biggest part of the southwestern Europe up to the Danube River.

Augustus made military reforms and reforms in coinage. He also started a great building program throughout the empire. When the emperor passed away, people worshipped him as a god. His successor was his stepson Tiberius. Octavian/Augustus ruled 41 years from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D.