Augustus, first citizen of Rome

"I accepted a Roman city built of bricks, but left a marble city." This is a sentence said by Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire, when he was full of pride. He wanted to liberate the Romans from the war and "live in peace forever." During his 43 years of reign, it was the economically richest era of ancient Rome, and it was also the "golden age" of ancient Roman literature. When he died in August 14 AD, the Roman Senate decided to include him in the ranks of "gods" and called August "Augustus". Augustus is one of the most important figures in history. In the first century BC, he quelled the civil war attempting to split the Roman Republic, reorganized the Roman government, and brought two centuries of peace and prosperity to the Roman world.

Augustus was born in 63 BC, his original name is Gaius Octavian. At the age of 35, he accepted the title of Augustus. Octavian was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. When Octavian was young, Julius Caesar ruled Rome. He did not have a son to inherit the throne, and he took Octavian as his adoptive son as his legal heir. When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Octavian was only an 18-year-old student.

After Caesar's death, various political forces within the empire began a fierce struggle for power. At first, some people who were well versed in Roman politics did not put Octavian in their eyes, thinking that the only reason he inherited the throne was to be recognized by Caesar as a righteous son. However, Octavian cleverly used this to win the support of Caesar's old ministry. After a series of wars in the following years, Octavian swept up several other opposition forces. The Roman Empire was divided equally between Antony and Octavian: Antony ruled the eastern provinces, and Octavian became the supreme leader of the west. Since then, Octavian worked to consolidate the regime, but Anthony has been indulged in love with Cleopatra. In 32 BC, the war between Octavian and Anthony broke out. Antony was defeated in a crucial battle at Cape Acting, and Octavian became the master of the Roman world. Both Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide.

Octavian finally won the status and power that disappeared 15 years ago. Octavian was also assassinated because he tried to end the Roman Republic and establish an autocratic regime. However, after years of civil war and the failure of republican forces in Rome, by 30 BC, most Romans stated that they were willing to accept a benevolent dictator as long as the republican system still existed.

Although Octavian was extremely ruthless in quelling the civil strife, after the establishment of the regime, he unexpectedly showed a gesture of reconciliation. In 27 BC, in order to appease the elders, he announced that he would resign from all positions and restore the republic. But in fact, he retained his position as governor of Spain, Gaul and Syria. Since most of the Roman army was stationed in these three provinces, the actual power of the Roman world was still in his hands. In 27 BC, the Senate awarded him the honorary title of "Augustus". Octavian had never used the title "Emperor", so in name, Rome was the Republic, and he was just the "first citizen". However, in reality, the Senate satisfies all his requirements, and he is a true dictator. When he died in 14 AD, Rome had completed the transition from a republic to an autocratic regime. After his death, his son took the throne for granted.

What makes Augustus unique is that he has set an example of a capable and benevolent dictator in history. He is a true politician, and his reconciliation policy successfully healed the wounds caused by the civil war.

Augustus ruled Rome for about 40 years, and his policies influenced Rome for a long time. During his reign, the Roman army occupied Spain, Switzerland, Galicia (located in Asia Minor), and most of the Balkans. At the end of his rule, the northern border of Rome reached the banks of the Rhine and Danube. This boundary line lasted for centuries.

Augustus performed well in governing the country. He modified the empire's tax and financial system, reorganized the army, and created the navy. He also created the Imperial Guard, which played an important role in the subsequent selection and demotion of the emperor.

During his reign, Augustus built roads, public facilities, and repaired temples in Rome. He also encouraged observance and loyalty to the ancient Roman religion, and enacted laws to encourage marriage and childbirth. The roads extending in all directions united the various parts of the Roman Empire into a whole, and Rome was the center of the Roman Empire. The proverb "All roads lead to Rome" vividly describes the scene of the Roman Empire at that time when traffic was developed and commerce prospered.

Since 30 BC, Rome has entered an era of peace and glory, and as a result, there has been a prosperity in literature and art. The reign of Augustus is also known as the "golden age" of Roman literature. During this period, many great poets have emerged, such as Virgil, Levy