ROME'S FIRST EMPIRE: AUGUSTUS
Octavian (Augustus), who initiated the imperial process of the Roman State and was accepted as the first emperor of Rome, BC. He was born on September 23, 63, in an area where wealthy families of the city of Rome lived. His father was Gaius Octavius, a statesman and member of the Horsemen class, considered as the elite class of Rome, and his mother Atia, the daughter of Julia, the sister of Gaius Caesar. Octavian passed away at the age of four. Octavian, who had the chance to know Gaius Caesar soon, grew up under Caesar's influence and protection. His relationship with Caesar constitutes one of the turning points in his life. The adoption of Octavian by Caesar, one of the most important politicians and commanders of Rome, who helped capture Gaul, enabled him to be recognized in Roman politics from a young age.
Octavian, Caesar's legal heir, takes action to avenge the murder of Caesar in 44 BC. B.C. In the Battle of Philippi that took place in 42 BC, Brutus and Cassius, known as Caesar's murderers, were defeated and the head of Brutus, known as the most important responsible of the assassination, was thrown at the bottom of Caesar's statue in Rome. Thus, the revenge of Caesar, whom his father knew, was taken and the majority of the opponents were silenced. Meanwhile, Octavian, who also bears the title of Caesar, was recognized as a god by the Senate, creating a superiority for his legitimacy and made him the son of the god.
The primary goal of Octavian, who became consul in 311 BC, was the destruction of Antonius, the enemy of Rome, from now on. Antonius' attempt to establish an Eastern Empire by marrying Cleopatra caused him to fall out with Rome. When the Roman Senate declares war on Cleopatra and Octavian, both sides begin their preparations for war. Antonius also relied on the support of the Egyptian navy. The Battle of Actium, which took place in western Greece on the Adriatic coast, will be recorded as one of the bloodiest wars in history; Octavian became the sole leader of Rome after the Battle of Actium, where brother fought with brother and Roman killed Romans. Seeing that Cleopatra and the Egyptian navy have left the battlefield, Antonius finds the solution in escaping to Alexander (Alexandria). Octavian follows Antony and Cleopatra to Egypt and besieges Alexandreia (Alexandria). When Cleopatra's efforts to deal with Octavian also fail, clashes arise again. As a result of this conflict, Antonius is killed according to one view and, according to one opinion, he commits suicide. Cleopatra also commits suicide (30 BC). Likewise, Cleopatra's son from Caesar and Antony's son were also killed. When Octavian returned to Rome in 29 BC with a great ceremony, he is now the true and only leader of the Mediterranean world.
To Octavian who returned from Egypt with a great victory, BC. In 27, the Senate granted the title of "Imperator" and "Augustus" (holy), the commander-in-chief, which means leader of all military power. The title "Augustus" was so identified with him that cadeta became his name and was used as a title by later Roman emperors.
The reputation of Augustus has increased so much that the sixth month of the Roman calendar, Sextilis, is renamed Augustus (August). With Augustus being accepted and honored as the greatest and only leader of Rome, the door of his house was decorated with "Corona civica" made from two laurel branches and oak leaves, and "Clipeus Virtutis", a golden shield, was dedicated to Curia. On this shield, four important virtues of the emperor; The words Virtus (Courage), Clementia (Mercy), Iustitia (Justice) and Pietas (Piety) are engraved. He is Pontifex Maximus (leader of the state religion) BC. In 12 BC the title Pater Patriae (Father of the Fatherland) was given in 2 BC.
With Augustus in Roman history, the "Principatus" period started, and this period continued until Diocletian, when the new form of administration called the Dominatus came into play. Some events that are very important in Roman history also took place during the Augustus period: In 24 BC, when Arabia was annexed to Rome, BC. In 14, the Bosporos Kingdom turns into a kingdom connected to Rome. In the famous Battle of Teutoburg, where three legions of the Roman army were ambushed and completely destroyed by the Teutons, again during the Augustus period, BC. On the 9th, it happened. According to the historian Suetonius, Emperor Augustus, who received the news of this painful loss, stamped his head against the wall, "Quintili Vare, legiones denial!" Meaning "Quintulius Varus, give me back my legions!" he shouted.
The Augustus period is important not only for the political and military strengthening of the empire, but also for the development of poetry and art. As a matter of fact, Horatius and Vergilius, considered to be among the most important poets of Roman history, are among the famous literati of this period. The order established by Augustus theoretically ended with his death. Although the rebuilding of the republic was possible after his death, few thought of it. Augustus himself attempted to identify an heir during his lifetime. In this context, the person the Emperor used most to determine heir was his daughter. Augustus, who does not have a son, has married her three times so that her daughter Julia has a son. Although boys were born from these marriages, these heirs either did not live long or were killed by Augustus on the grounds that they were inadequate. Ultimately, Augustus had to designate his stepson Tiberius from his wife Livia's previous marriage as heir.
In Anatolia, the famous altar, called "Ara Pacis Augustae" and built in memory of Augustus' military achievements, was built during his time with very important events such as the Roman Emperor Cult, Pax Romana. We can include them in later posts.
M.S. Augustus, who left Rome with Tiberius in the summer of 14 and sailed for Beneventum, fell ill as they approached the island of Capri and died on August 19 at the age of 76 in Nola in Campania. A magnificent funeral was held on the Campus Martius for Augustus, whose body was brought to Rome, and the ashes of the cremated body were placed in the great Mausoleum.
