Outline of Augustus

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Augustus:

Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. The reign of Augustus initiated an imperial cult and an era of imperial peace (the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta) in which the Roman world was largely free of armed conflict. The principate, a style of government where the emperor showed nominal deference to the Senate, was established during his reign and lasted until the Crisis of the Third Century.

Early life and rise to power

Early life of Augustus – Detailed account of Augustus's childhood, education, and early political career

• Second Triumvirate – Political alliance between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
• Liberators' civil war – Conflict against Caesar's assassins
• Battle of Philippi – Decisive battle against Caesar's assassins in 42 BC
• War of Actium – Final war of the Roman Republic, culminating in Octavian's victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra

Reign as Emperor

• Constitutional reforms of Augustus – Comprehensive overview of the changes Augustus made to the Roman political system
• Pax Romana – Long period of relative peace in the Roman Empire, starting with Augustus
• Coinage reform of Augustus – Restructuring of the Roman monetary system, including the introduction of new coins and standardization of currency
• Forum of Augustus – Public square built by Augustus, showcasing his architectural and propaganda efforts
• Wars of Augustus – Military campaigns during Augustus's reign
  • Cantabrian Wars – Conquest of northern Spain
  • Battle of the Teutoburg Forest – Major Roman defeat in Germania in AD 9
• Augustus' Eastern policy – Diplomatic and military approach to the eastern provinces and neighboring states

Cultural influence and contributions during his lifetime

• Ara Pacis – Altar dedicated to Pax, the Roman goddess of peace
• Augustan literature – Golden age of Latin literature
• Gardens of Augustus – Public gardens in Capri created by Augustus, demonstrating his interest in landscaping and public works
• Roman imperial cult – Origin of Roman emperor worship

Family and personal life

Abodes

• House of Augustus – Augustus's private residence on the Palatine Hill in Rome
• Villa of Augustus – Country retreat of Augustus, likely located in the Alban Hills

Family members

Grandparents

• Julia Minor – Augustus's paternal grandmother, and sister of Caesar
• Marcus Atius Balbus – Augustus's maternal grandfather

Parents

• Gaius Octavius – Augustus's biological father
• Julius Caesar – Augustus's adoptive father and great-uncle
• Atia – Augustus's mother

Siblings

• Octavia the Elder – Augustus's elder half-sister
• Octavia the Younger – Augustus's younger full sister

Wives

• Claudia – Augustus's first wife
• Scribonia – Augustus's second wife
• Livia – Augustus's third wife and influential figure in the early Roman Empire

Children

• Julia the Elder – Augustus's only biological child, daughter with Scribonia
• Gaius Caesar – Augustus's adopted son and grandson
• Lucius Caesar – Augustus's adopted son and grandson
• Agrippa Postumus – Augustus's adopted son and grandson
• Tiberius – Augustus's adopted son and stepson, successor as emperor
• Nero Drusus – Augustus's stepson
• Cornelia – Augustus's stepdaughter

Other notable family members

• Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa – Close friend, general, and son-in-law of Augustus
• Marcellus (nephew of Augustus) – Son of Augustus's sister Octavia, groomed as a potential heir but died of illness at the age of 19.

Legacy

• Julio-Claudian dynasty – The imperial dynasty founded by Augustus
• Augustus of Prima Porta – Famous statue of Augustus
• Roman imperial cult – Worship of emperors, including Augustus, as divine or semi-divine figures
  • Sodales Augustales – Priesthood dedicated to the cult of Augustus
• Mausoleum of Augustus – Monumental tomb built by Augustus for himself and his family
• Res Gestae Divi Augusti – Augustus's autobiographical funerary inscription detailing his achievements and honors
• Temples of Augustus
  • Temple of Divus Augustus (Rome) – Temple dedicated to the deified Augustus in Rome
  • Temple of Augustus and Rome (Athens) – Temple in Athens dedicated to Augustus and the goddess Roma
  • Temple of Divus Augustus (Nola) – Temple in Nola, Italy, dedicated to the deified Augustus
  • Temple of Augustus (Barcelona) – Roman temple in Barcelona dedicated to Augustus
• Roman Temple of Évora – Well-preserved Roman temple in Évora, Portugal, possibly dedicated to the imperial cult
• Felicior Augusto, melior Traiano – Latin phrase meaning "May you be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan," used to praise subsequent emperors
• Cultural depictions of Augustus – Representations of Augustus in art, literature, and popular culture throughout history

See also

• Roman Empire
• List of Roman emperors
• Pax Romana
• Julius Caesar
• Roman Republic

External links

• Works by and about Augustus at Perseus Digital Library
• Gallery of the Ancient Art: August
• The Via Iulia Augusta: road built by the Romans; constructed on the orders of Augustus between the 13–12 B.C.
• Augustan Legionaries – Augustus's legions and legionaries
• Augustus – short biography at the BBC
• "Augustus Caesar and the Pax Romana" – essay by Steven Kreis about Augustus's legacy
• "De Imperatoribus Romanis" (archived 17 March 2022) – article about Augustus at Garrett G. Fagan's online encyclopedia of Roman emperors