Essay: Octavian Gaius Julius Caesar, first Roman emperor

‘All Roads Lead to Rome.’ This famous quote illustrates how extensive and powerful Roman Empire was. Such tremendous land and enormous power started from one person who is called Octavian Gaius Julius Caesar. Some people may contend that he was too dogmatic and atrocious to carry a giant empire. However, he had great generalship and initiative against to adversity, and such abilities were shown by his military and his leadership during civil wars and his legacy.
Octavian Gaius Caesar’s confidence and leadership could be shown by plenty of civil wars when just after Caesar died.  When Julius Caesar was assassinated, many royal families felt betrayed because Caesar remained three quarters of his estate and selected his heir as Octavian, adopted son who was just 17 years old. When he heard Caesar’s death, he quickly raised 3000 soldiers himself. He met his natural enemy, Mark Antony who was also Caesar’s supporter.  They fought in Battle of Forum and Battle of Mutina, and Octavian all defeated. Octavian was not recognized as military person at the time and Mark Antony was famous general so these victories revalued Octavian and gave him prestige to be equal with Mark Antony. They made alliance against Brutus and Cassius who was a one of murders of Caesar and supporter of republic.  In October 42BC, armies of Octavian and Mark Antony and armies of Brutus and Cassius were at a war called the Battle of Philippi. Octavian and Mark Antony were located in Neapolis and Brutus and Cassius were located in Amphipolis. Because Brutus and Cassius were in the best position because of two hills, Octavian and Mark Antony tried to surround Brutus and Cassius and cut off Brutus and Cassius’ supplies. Then Mark Antony unexpectedly attacked Cassius and it was successful. Cassius thought that everything ended and he killed himself. However, indeed Brutus also unexpectedly attacked Octavian’s armies and it was successful too. Finally Mark Antony and Octavian were victorious, but conflict between them was deeper and deeper. Octavian’s victories in many wars were possible because he was both militarily and politically good leader. He successfully organized his armies quickly despite of his young age. Although he was young, he had much more confidence, leadership, and brilliant ideas than other people who attempted but failed to get throne.
Octavian Gaius Caesar’s great statesmanship and military power also could be shown during Second Triumvirate.  Second Triumvirate consisted of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus. Power in Rome was mainly divided by them. Octavian ruled Western Europe, Mark Antony ruled southern Turkey, and Lepidus ruled Africa.  Lepidus lost his power because his son tried to assassinate Octavian, but assassination was failed and Lepidus and his son had to retire from political life.  At the time, Egypt had a queen called Cleopatra. She had a baby of Caesar and she also felt betrayed that her son was not selected as successor. Unfortunately, she and Mark Antony even fell into love although Mark Antony already had a Roman wife, Octavia who is Octavian’s sister. Octavian politically blamed Mark Antony by using propaganda that he betrayed his virtuous Roam wife and played around with dissipated Egyptian queen. Because of this situation, Roman senates turned their backs to Mark Antony.  Finally in 31BC Octavian declared war to Cleopatra. Mark Anthony helped Cleopatra a lot, but Octavian’s clever military strategies won. This war was called the battle of Actium, and the result was complete victory of Octavian. Just after the war, Mark Antony ran away and suicided on Cleopatra’s arms. Through this war, Roman Republic ended and Roman Empire began. Octavian was surprisingly smart at managing people. He was so coherent that he only used his tongue to persuade senates that Mark Antony was bad. Also, he tried to make Caesar as God. Despite of Antony’s rejection, Octavian made people call Julius Caesar as Saint Julius and call himself as a son of God. He used his persuasiveness to assure citizens that he was much more important than Mark Antony.
Octavian Caesar’s greatness could be found from his legacy.  After Antony’s death, he unofficially became Emperor. He pretended to be person who supported republic. He knew that citizens didn’t want a dictator, so he tried to be seemed like a voted senate. In fact, he possessed most of the wealth in Rome. Different with normal perspective of dictator, he spent his money to help normal citizens. One of his great legacy helping citizens was building project. There was a famous quote which Octavian said: ‘I found a Rome of bricks, I leave to you one of marble’. He built many building projects including Temple of Caesar, Baths of Agrippa, and Temple of Mars Ultor. He built not only buildings but also water ways. According to ‘Res Gestae’, he doubled capacity of water flows. The surprising point was that he sponsored these structures.  Also, he reformed a revenue system. He invented many kinds of taxes. For example, there was 5 percent inheritance tax. He made taxes very complexly. This inheritance tax included everything left by dead people and didn’t apply to children and the poor. Because of his impressive and great accomplishments, Roman senates gave him new name ‘Augustus’ which means venerable. Such accomplishments including tax reform and building projects allowed Rome keep peace for 300 years which is later called Pax Romana. During this age, Rome experienced unprecedented heyday.
It is undeniable fact that Octavian Caesar was one of the greatest empires in the history. His greatness and magnificence could be found from his military and political ability and significant legacy, especially from Second Triumvirate, his building projects, and his revenue system.