What does Augustus Caesar mean?

Answer 1

Augustus was a title, bestowed on Octavian by the Roman senate. It has no direct translation to our language, but connoted "The Great One", "The Esteemed One", "The Honored One". It is usually given as "The Venerable One". Octavian, after Julius Caesar was assassinated for making himself dictator for life, knew to stay away from anything to do with kingship or permanent rule, and took the innocuous title of princeps (First Citizen) . The senate bestowed the honorary title of Augustus on him, which had religious, rather than political connotations.

Octavian was the adoptive son and main heir of Gaius (first name) Julius (family name) Caesar, agnomen. Thus, he was a member of the Julian family (gens Julia). Caesar was the agnomen (nickname) of this branch of the Julian family. It was common to give nicknames to men. Caesar meant 'hairy' or fine head of hair. In fact, it was a joke nickname - the Romans did have a sense of humour. This the first man of this family branch was noted for his baldness , so his agnomen was the opposite of what he actually was, rather like today calling someone who is fat 'Slim', or someone with red hair Bluey. This then became the name of this branch of the Julian family.