PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

The First Emperor – Augustus
Octavian, Julius Caesar’s adopted son, and Caesar’s friend,
Mark Antony, defeated Caesar’s murderers, Brutus and
Cassius, at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC, two years after
Caesar’s assassination. Octavian then ruled over the Western
Empire and Antony the East, but later they quarrelled over
the division of power and Octavian’s victory at the sea battle
of Actium in 31 BC left him as the sole ruler.
He was granted the title of Augustus (‘the dignified one’) by
the Senate and became the first official emperor of Rome in
27 BC. He had brought an end to the civil wars following the
death of Julius Caesar and he reigned for over 40 years.
Under the emperor Augustus, Rome became one of the
greatest cities of all time. He divided the city into fourteen
administrative areas similar to our city councils today. Each
area was controlled by a magistrate. Augustus also organised
the world’s first fire brigade, using slaves to fight fires, and a
police force to control a growing crime problem in the city
streets. To prevent the Tiber from flooding the city he widened
part of the river and had it dredged to remove mud and
rubbish. He also ensured that the monthly distribution of free
corn to the city’s poor citizens was continued. Many of Rome’s
buildings were faced with expensive marble and Augustus
boasted that he ‘found Rome brick and left it marble’. He
built new aqueducts and repaired old ones, and the huge sewer
known as the Cloaca Maxima was also repaired during his
reign (27 BC–14 AD). In 14 AD Augustus died and Tiberius
succeeded him as emperor.
Activity Box
1. In what year was Julius Caesar murdered?
2. What do you think was the greatest
achievement by Augustus?
Why?
3. Why did Octavian and Antony meet in the
battle of Actium?
Augustus’s statue – made by a sculptor
during the emperor’s reign.
4. How often was free corn given out to the poor?
5. How long had the civil wars lasted after
Caesar’s death?
Viewing Sample
6. Why was a police force needed?
7. Why did Augustus widen the River Tiber?
8. Which word in the notes above means ‘costly’?
Prim-Ed Publishing www.prim-ed.com Ancient Rome – 79 –