Rome’s first Emperorfrom 27 BC – 14 AD

Originally named Gaius Octavius, Augustus was born in Rome in 63 BC

He was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC,

Octavius was in Illyria; returning to Italy, he learned that he was Caesar's adopted heir

He took the name Gaius Julius Caesar, to which historians added Octavianus, which is usually shortened to Octavian in English.

Caesar's assassination plunged Rome into turmoil. Octavian, determined to avenge his adoptive father and secure his own place, vied with Mark Antony, for power and honor.

Octavian recognized the necessity of making peace with his rival. In late 43 BC, the two--joined by Antony's ally, the general Marcus Aemilius Lepidus--met and formed the Second Triumvirate to rule the Roman domains.

By 40 BC the triumvirs had divided the Roman world among them. Octavian was in control of most of the western provinces and Antony of the eastern ones; Lepidus was given Africa.

Although Antony and Octavian clashed over the control of Italy, they patched up their differences. In fact, Antony married Octavian’s daughter, Octavia. Octavian then forced Lepidus from power while Antony was in the east fighting the Parthians.

Oh, the drama! Antony sent Octavia back to Rome and he soon married Cleopatra, whom Caesar had installed as queen of Egypt. Cleopatra recognized Caesarion (47-30 BC), her son by Caesar, as her coruler. This undercut Octavian's position as Caesar's only son, and war was inevitable. In a naval battle off Actium in 31 BC Octavian defeated the forces of Antony and Cleopatra, who killed themselves in 30 BC. Caesarion was murdered.

In 29 BC Octavian returned to Rome, sole master of the Roman world.

(from dictionary.com)

em·per·or   the male sovereign or supreme ruler of an empire: the emperors of Rome.

em·pire   a group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom.

He restored unity and orderly government after nearly a century of civil wars

He was a reformer, patron of arts and literature