General Notes

Infopedia:
Octavian. 63 B.C.-14 A.D. First Roman emperor (27 B.C.-14 A.D.). Son of
Octavius and Atia (daughter of Julia, youngest sister of Julius Caesar).
Talents brought him into favor of his great-uncle Julius Caesar, who
adopted him as son and heir (45 B.C.). After death of Caesar (44), gained
control in Italy, aided by Cicero; joined Mark Antony and Lepidus in
establishing Second Triumvirate (43 B.C.); with Antony, defeated Brutus
and Cassius at Philippi (42); after Philippi, received Italy as his
portion. His sister Octavia married Antony (40). Fought Sicilian War
against Sextus Pompeius (38-36) and won decisively with aid of admiral
Marcus Agrippa; disarmed and deposed Lepidus (36); fought successful wars
in Illyricum and Dalmatia (35-33).
Rivalry with Antony finally settled by defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at
battle of Actium (31). Became sole ruler of Roman world, cloaking
autocracy in trappings of ancient republic; received title of Augustus"
(exalted, sacred), conferred by senate (27 B.C.), and, later, other
titles; retained consular office, but sometimes granted it to others for
certain periods; also granted power of tribune; inaugurated reforms and
beneficial laws. Created imperial system of administration, established
new coinages, encouraged trade.
Became pontifex maximus on death of Lepidus (12 B.C.). Made his stepson
Tiberius his heir and successor (4 A.D.); added to empire by victories in
Spain, Pannonia, Dalmatia, and Gaul, but his legions suffered terrible
defeat when army of Publius Quintilius Varus ( q.v. ) was totally
destroyed by Germans; died on journey to Campania.
A ruler of great administrative ability and initiative; promoted
agriculture and the arts, his reign (Augustan age) marking golden age of
Latin literature. Married (1) Claudia, who had no children; (2)
Scribonia, whose daughter Julia married three times and had five children
by her second husband; (3) Livia Drusilla (divorced wife of Tiberius
Claudius Nero), whohad two sons (stepsons of Augustus), Tiberius, later
emperor, and Drusus (d. 9 B.C. at age of 30). Met with domestic sorrows
throughout his life, esp. because of conduct of his daughter Julia, who
was banished for her excesses, and because he had no son, and his nephew,
grandsons, and favorite stepson, Drusus, all died young.