octavius essays

octavius essays Gaius Octavius, the great-nephew of Julius Caesar, was born in Rome on the 23rd of September, 63 BC (Southern 1). After Julius Caesars death on the Ides of March in 44 BC, a struggle for power in Rome ensued, even though 18 year old Octavian was the heir. Marc Antony, a good friend of Julius Caesar, disposed of the conspirators that murdered Caesar (Miller, ed. 153). In 43 BC, Octavian made an agreement with a major general, Marcus Lepidus, and Mark Antony. The agreement said that each man would be a dictator and they would rule together for a term of five years and avenge Caesar. One of the bloodiest acts in Roman history then occurred. A list was produced, and any man whose name was on it was sentenced to death and all his property was confiscated (Augustus). An exact copy of the war between Caesar and Pompey then took place. Marcus Brutus abandoned Greece and went to Asia due to the fact that there was a greater force of troops there. Cassius and Brutus faced Antony at Philippi. The first battle resulted in Brutus defeating Octavian and Antony defeating Cassius, and each man captured the others camp. Cassius, fearing his comrade Brutus was dead, committed suicide. This shocking event took away the best commander they had. Brutus, lacking in strategic sense, lost and also took his own life (Mommsen 69-70). After this battle, they all returned to Italy and Mark Antony took command of eastern Rome. Octavian faced many difficult battles including one led by the brother of Antony and one against Sextus Pompey. Mark Antony and Octavians friendship began to diminish (Augustus). Antony formed a friendship with Cleopatra while Octavian began to gather power in Italy. Lepidus was forced to give up politics by Octavian. Octavian became the dominant figure in western Rome after his victory over Sextus and the resignation of Lepidus from their triumvirate (Augustus). Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, and Antony married in 3...