by Steve Hale
'And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed' ( Luke 2:1). Thus, Caesar Augustus is important to us because: (1) he was the emperor when Jesus was born; (2) he was one of the empires greatest and ingenious rulers; (3) the Roman Empire reached its height under him. He ruled from 37 B.C. until A.D. 14.
Augustus' real name was actually Caius Octavius, and was one of three great nephews to Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar willed his vast fortune to his three grandnephews. Among these, he named Caius Octavius (Augustus) his son and heir.
This was especially hard on the famous general, Mark Antony, who was virtually sure he would be Rome's next emperor. Knowing Antony's ruthlessness and immorality, young Caius's mother warned him to stay in hiding. At the city of Tiber, he confronted Antony face-to- face. Caius Octavius was no coward, and at the time, he was only eighteen years old!
After preliminary fighting (which Octavian won), The Second Triumvirate was formed. This was composed of: (1) Octavian, who ruled the West; (2) Antony, who ruled Egypt, Greece, and the East; (3) Lepidus, who ruled Africa.
After. brutally eliminating their enemies and confiscating their property, The Second Triumvirate turned to face Cassius and Brutus, who were busy raising their armies in Macedonia. On the plains just below Philippi, in September of 42 B.C., the battle was joined. The
Second Triumvirate won, and Cassius and Brutus both committed suicide.
Finally, Antony and Octavian were ready to face each other. Even though Antony had married Octavian's sister, he left her for Cleopatra, the famous beauty of Egypt.
The deciding battle was joined at Actium, just off the coast of western Greece. Although Antony and Cleopatra had some 500 ships, they were routed. They both committed suicide: (1) Cleopatra by allowing a poisonous snake bite her on the breast; (2) Antony by stabbing himself with a dagger.
The Roman Empire became Octavian's: even Lepidus retired leaving him the colonies in Africa! His fascinating career as the first, and perhaps greatest, of the Roman Caesars was about to begin!
With his new power, Augustus: (1) stopped piracy; (2) prosecuted crooked officials. (3) established law and order; (4) raided the rich Egyptian treasury, and brought it to Rome; (5) provided for such a healthy economic environment, interest rates dropped from 12% to 4%, and real estate boomed!
In gratitude, The Senate gave him the title Aumtus from which means to increase. It was a title reserved for only deity.
As his lengthy reign and life neared their end, the Empire weakened. He became concerned, improved roadh the postal system, and peace. After his death, his body was cremated on the Field of Mars.