The Death of Julius Caesar Rome was in chaos after his death.

27 B.C. - 14 A.D. Originally known as Octavian, his name is today known simply as Augustus which was the title given him by the Senate in the year 27 B.C. He was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar and was following an illustrious military career when Caesar was murdered. Hearing of Julius Caesar’s murder, he set in motion a series of alliances meant to avenge his great-uncle's death. Rome suffered13 years of civil war as  groups struggled to control Rome.

He recruited Lepidus and Marc Antony for the task, defeated Brutus and his co-conspirators and then carved up the Roman world among the three. Lepidus was left in control of the African provinces, Marc Antony with Egypt and the eastern provinces and Octavian the rest including Rome itself. The Triumvirate as it was called was unstable and they each began to plot against the other.

Within a few years however Lepidus would be stripped of his powers and Marc Antony would be defeated in a major battle. Antony and his wife Cleopatra then committed suicide leaving Octavian as sole emperor. Octavian then became known and referred to by his title and went on to rule the Roman Empire for another 40 years. He did this while cooperating with the Senate and to him Romans owed much of the grandeur and influence that this empire became known for.

"I found a city of brick and left it a city of marble", so said the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus (64 b. C. - 14 a. C.)

Building and Architecture under Caesar Augustus

The Romans invented cement, which held the marble tiles in place The Romans invented cement, which held the marble tiles in place. Henceforth, marble laboriously cut out of a quarry went much farther than being used in solid blocks. The city of Rome was redone with marble, becoming the most beautiful city in the known world.

Cages were located under the main arena for people as well as animals.

The warriors of the colosseum

OTHER BUILDING PROJECTS INCLUDED THE FORUM

TYPICAL ROMAN ROAD

Raised crosswalk

A ROAD STILL IN EXISTENCE TODAY

NETWORK OF ROMAN ROADS

Exposed heating pipes

oven

THE ARMY PATROLLED THE ROADS TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

After about 115 A.D., there was fighting to hold the defensive lines; but within the empire’s borders, the "Pax Romana" ensured relative peace and tranquility.

ROMAN COINS SHOWING AUGUSTUS

The birth of one child changed the Roman Empire for ever.