Describe Augustus's rise to power.

Augustus rose to power by defeating Mark Antony. 

Augustus was the heir to Julius Caesar, but he became Rome’s first emperor through guts and intelligence.  He knew how to surround himself with people who could accomplish his goals and quietly get rid of detractors.  He was ambitious, ruthless, and pragmatic. 

Augustus was born Gaius Octavius.  When Julius Caesar was assassinated he left Octavius as his heir.  He did not choose Octavius at random.  He had no son, and was obviously aware that of all of his relatives, young Octavius had the best chance to take over his rise to power.  Caesar may not have expected to be assassinated in 44 B.C., but he already knew then that the teenage Octavius was something special.

Octavius did have some military training when Julius Caesar died, but it was really just beginning.  He was too young to command an army, and he suffered from a few physical infirmities that made military life difficult.  This did not stop him.  He was cunning and observant.  He turned every situation to his advantage.  He was only eighteen years old when Caesar died, but within a few years he would be one of the three leaders of the Roman world.

Mark Antony was Octavius’s ticket to power.  He called himself Octavius Caesar, using his “father’s” name to add clout to his status.  The senate gave him an army and asked him to help put down Mark Antony’s, but instead he joined him.  Antony, Octavius Caesar, and Lepidus formed a triumvirate (a power-sharing arrangement) a year later.

Although Antony likely considered himself the leader of this band over a teenager and a nobody, Octavius was already gaining supporters.  He wanted people to think that he was Caesar’s heir in every way.  When the war ended at the final defeat of Brutus and Cassius, Octavius did not go into the woodwork. 

Antony and Octavius had more and more disputes in intervening years over sharing power.  By now Octavius Caesar had a trusted lieutenant, Agrippa, who was a brilliant military strategist.  He also had other advisers in just about every area, including a crucial area Antony lacked: publicity.

Antony’s greatest publicity problem was Cleopatra.  She was the queen of Egypt and many Romans considered her Antony’s weakness.  Octavius used her and several military failures of Antony to make him look weak and ineffectual.  He also took advantage of an attempted coup by Lepidus to force out their third triumvir.  Soon Antony was the only obstacle left to his power.

History has made Antony and Cleopatra into a love story for the ages.  To Rome, Antony’s relationship with her was scandalous.  Antony supposedly recognized her and his children with her in his will, even giving her Roman territory.  Octavius got the will and read it to the senate, embarrassing Antony.  He also read his own will by contrast, which was glowing with love for Rome.

As was bound to happen, Antony made a move against Octavius.  It was doomed.  Antony had too few men and resources left, and Octavius had both.  He also had Agrippa.  With his help, Octavius defeated Antony soundly, and both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.  Octavius had Cleopatra’s oldest son Caesarian (Julius Caesar’s son) killed, and had Antony and Cleopatra’s children marched through Rome in triumph. 

Now Octavius Caesar had all of Rome under his thumb.  There were no more power-sharing arrangements with Antony to honor.  He changed his name to Augustus and declared himself emperor.  He also completed an ambitious program of public works for Rome, from libraries to sewers.