Fiveable
Fiveable

Octavian

Definition

Octavian, also known as Augustus Caesar, was the first emperor of Rome. He ruled from 27 BCE to 14 CE and played a crucial role in transitioning Rome from a republic to an empire.

Analogy

Imagine Octavian as a student who starts off as just another member of a study group but ends up becoming its leader. Similarly, Octavian started his journey as part of the Second Triumvirate but eventually became Rome's first emperor, taking charge and transforming its political structure.

Related terms

Second Triumvirate: The Second Triumvirate consisted of Octavian (later Augustus), Mark Antony, and Lepidus. They formed an alliance after Julius Caesar's assassination to gain control over Rome.

Pax Romana: Pax Romana refers to a period of relative peace and stability throughout the Roman Empire that occurred during Augustus' reign.

Julio-Claudian Dynasty: The Julio-Claudian Dynasty was the ruling family of Rome during the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. They were descendants of Julius Caesar and played significant roles in shaping Roman history.

"Octavian" appears in:

collegeable - rocket pep

Are you a college student?

  • Study guides for the entire semester

  • 200k practice questions

  • Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab



© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.