Octavian' Rise to Power

The Roman Republic’s desperate attempt to retain their democratic traditions and beliefs led to the assassination of their new dictator Julius Caesar. The lack of a leader created turmoil and civil war in the Roman Republic and thousands of people lost their lives. Octavian, Julius Caesar's adopted son, took this opportunity to rise to power and beat down the armies of Marc Antony and his wife Cleopatra in order to gain complete rule over Rome. Later, in honor of his greatness, Octavian’s name was changed into Augustus. With his new name and supreme authority, Caesar Augustus transformed the old Roman Republic into a glorious empire, designed to look like a republic in order to keep the democratic tradition the Roman citizens were so scared of losing.

The Roman Republic had a democratic government with no ruler who had absolute power; instead, they used senators as representatives of the citizens. When Julius Caesar threatened this free government by attempting to become an emperor for life, a few roman senators conspired to kill him and succeeded. Augustus, who had the same goal, learned from his father’s mistakes and carefully planned out his rule and decided to keep the democratic government to make his people happy. However, in order to become a dictator and keep a democracy, Augustus gained power in every crucial position of the government, becoming the Imperator, or commander in chief over the Roman military, and the Pontifex Maximus so he could have complete control over the empire's religious affairs. Augustus also addressed himself as a Consul to gain the support of the higher class patricians, and a Tribune to gain the support of the lower class plebeians. This way, Augustus made it seem as if there were still different people running the government, but in reality there was only one supreme leader. Modern historians identify this type of political system as a Principate or a monarchy disguised as an oligarchical republic. Using this democratic mask, Augustus quietly established himself as a king who secretly controlled all aspects of the Roman Republic.

During Caesar Augustus's rule, there was a long period of peace and prosperity for the Roman Empire. There were fewer revolts against Roman rule and most of the Mediterranean world was united under one empire. Using this idea of peace brought only by Augustus, the new Caesar made his citizens belief that the best way to live was to keep him in charge. Augustus help anniversary celebrations every ten years as a way to make Caesar look like he was being elected over and over again. This solidified the idea that Augustus deserved the position he undertook as emperor.

Caesar Augustus turned the old Roman Republic into a dictatorship by disguising his new empire as a democratic civilization. Under Augustus's rule, the romans prospered and peace prevailed all across the Mediterranean. Even though Augustus had complete control, he deceived his people into thinking they still had a say in what happened in their government, which ultimately led to his success. The Caesar strategically became every part of the government and refused to be called an emperor or king. So, with this illusion, Caesar Augustus became the all-powerful emperor of Rome.