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Katie
McAden
Honors 141
Character Report
Octavian
I. Historical context of Octavian's life
A. Cicero was consul
B. Conspiracy of Cataline
C. Expansion of Rome
D. Birth of Christ
II. Brief Biography
A. Born in 63 BC
B. Heir to Julius Caesar
C. Formed 2nd Triumvirate
D. "Restoration of the Republic" and the expansion of
Rome
E. Became "Father of Rome" in 14 BC
F. Died in 14 AD
III. Assessments
A. Great leader
B. Many accomplishments
IV. Relationship to Cleopatra
A. Battle of Actium
B. Octavia and Antony
V. Casting- Noah Wyle
VI. Sources
A. Augustus: The Golden Age of Rome by G.P. Baker
B. Dr. Greg Daugherty- Professor of Classics, Randolph-Macon College
C.
http:9/30/2002/www.vroma.org/~riley/augustus/index.html
Summary:
Sarah Insley
Honors 141: Cleopatra
Summary
Octavian, adopted son of Julius Caesar and heir to the Roman Republic,
was born into a period of great change in the world. In 63 BC Octavian
began his life as the son of Gaius Octavius and Atia, Caesar's niece,
sharing his birth father's name. Cicero was consul at the time,
and Pompeius Magnus worked hard to expand the Roman Republic. In
44 BC, when Octavian was only 19, Caesar died and willed that Octavian
would take Caesar's name, legally becoming his son, and three-quarters
of his estate. Octavian subsequently formed the Second Triumvirate
with two of Caesar's lieutenants, Lepidus and Marc Antony. This
union was short-lived, however, for each man craved dominant power.
A war ensued, resulting in the division of the empire, leaving Octavian
with the west and Italy. The Battle of Actium, in which he defeated
Cleopatra and Marc Antony, solidified his victory and proved to
be his only encounter with the Egyptian queen. Octavian immediately
declared himself leader and began the "Restoration of the Republic,"
which became known as the foundation of the Roman Empire.
Under Octavian's rule, Rome experienced a time of great peace and
prosperity. He ended warfare and piracy on the Mediterranean, while
still expanding the empire to Egypt. In addition, prosperous times
meant an increased emphasis on leisurely activities. Octavian fueled
such interests by funding gladiatorial games and other shows for
the people of Rome. As a result of his beneficent deeds, he was
awarded the title "Augustus," meaning "the great
one," in 14 BC and declared the father of Rome. Octavian, who
outlived his successors to the ripe age of 75, ended his reign as
the first ruler of the Roman Empire in 14 AD, and left Rome, a city
he found of bricks, a city of marble.