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Octavian gave himself the name of Augustus.
Octavian's original name was Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus and his mother was the sister of Julius Caesar.
In 27 BCE he became Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus in recognition of his services to the state as the first of the Roman Emperors. All succeeding Caesars (Emperors of Rome) called themselves Augustus after that.
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Who was Octavain?
The man we know as Octavian was Julius Caesar's adopted son and heir. He was a master politician, a military victor, and became the sole ruler of Rome, changing the government from republic to principate. He was voted the title "Augustus" by the senate and from that time on he was known as Caesar Augustus or simply Augustus. He is sometimes referred to as the first Roman emperor by historians, although the Romans never used the word "emperor".
What happened at the battle of Actium?
Actium, 31BC - Octavian defeated Mark Antony. After the assassination of Julius Caesar, they both allied to take revenge (Philippi, 42BC), but later on they opposed, especially, when Antony fell in love with Cleopatra (VII), and had sons with her. Rome was afraid that an Egyptian heir jeopardized their throne. In 27BC, Octavian became the first emperor (he did not use this title - he used princeps) of Rome and the Senate named him Augustus.
Who married Octavian?
Livia
What was Augustus goal when he became emperor?
Octavian's goal was to establish his own absolute personal rule while pretending to be restoring the Roman Republic, whereas in actual fact he was dismantling its institutions. The pretence was due to the fact that the assassination of Julius Caesar had shown that one who appeared to be trying to become a king (i.e. an absolute ruler) was liable to be killed. Octavian succeeded in establishing his personal rule and become the first Roman emperor because as the winner of the final civil war of the Roman Republic he had gain control of the Roman Army. He also had acquired a vast fortune through the spoils od war, which he used for patronage. His personal rule was formalised in the First Settlement with the senate of 27 BC. He was also given the honorary title of Augustus (the venerable one). Historians use the name Augustus to indicate the period when he was an emperor. Through his strong personal grip on Roman politics Augustus was able to establish a strong central government which was capable to control the provinces of the empire which had previously been treated like personal fiefs by the provincial governors. He also reduced the corruption which had been rampant in the Late Republic. Augustus fostered the development of thriving trading network throughout the empire through low taxes and the development of infrastructure (roads, bridges, ports, canals, aqueducts, dams and the like. He commissioned or supported public works in the city of Rome.
How was August named?
It was named after a Roman emperor Augustus
