Augustus (Gaius Octavius)

Augustus, originally named Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman emperor, ruling from 27 BCE until his death in 14 CE. He was the grandnephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. After Caesar's assassination, Augustus emerged victorious in the power struggles that followed, establishing a stable government that ended years of civil war. His reign marked the beginning of the Roman Empire, known as the Pax Romana, a period of peace and prosperity. Augustus implemented important reforms in administration, finance, and culture, leaving a lasting legacy on Rome and shaping Western political thought.