Julius Caesar was murdered on March 15, 44 BC. His grandnephew and heir, Octavian (63 BC-14 AD), was still in Rome when he heard the news of his uncle’s assassination. He rushed back to Rome to avenge his uncle’s death by killing Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Caesar.
Octavian, later known as Augustus, is considered to be one of Rome’s greatest emperors, and one of its most influential politicians as well as generals (he led Rome’s armies in the final years of the civil war that ended with the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra).
Octavian had already gone through many hardships in his life before he became emperor of Rome. He had lost both his parents at an early age and had been living with his grandmother. When she died, Octavian’s aunt took him under her care until she died too. It was at this time that he finally decided to become a politician like his uncles Julius and Gaius Caesar.
Octavian took power by force but also by legal means: he exercised powers granted him by Julius Caesar and ratified by Senate decree; he had himself elected consul; he passed measures through the Senate, and he gained support from those who saw him as an instrument of stability rather than as an enemy to their interests.
Octavian ruled justly with laws that were fair and equal for all citizens in the empire. He was successful because he conquered all enemies and brought peace to Rome after years of civil war.
