Caius Octavius, better known as Augustus Caesar, was the first and one of the greatest Roman emperors. He completed the conversion of the Roman government from a fractious republic to an orderly and centralized empire, which was started by his uncle Julius Caesar. Although the first ten years of his reign were marked by civil wars, the following forty years was the longest peaceful period in Roman history, and was an era of great prosperity and the flowering of arts and literature.

Octavius was only nineteen when his uncle Julius Caesar was killed. He immediately set forth to Rome, in order to assert his rights as Caesar's heir. Antony was his rival for power in Rome, and the two feuded for about a year, before forming the second triumvirate (with Lepidus) and joining forces against Cassius and Brutus, the murderers of Caesar. Octavius and Antony prevailed at the battle of Philippi, and then divided the empire between them, Antony controlling the eastern provinces and Octavius controlling the west. It was arranged that the sister of Octavius should marry Antony in order to secure the alliance. For the next few years Antony and Octavius worked together to put down rebellions, but eventually Antony deserted his wife and went to live with Cleopatra in Egypt. This opened a rift between the two leaders which was finally resolved at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C. when Octavius defeated the armies of Antony.

After the battle of Actium, Octavius officially closed the doors of the temple of Janus, indicating that Rome was at peace for the first time in many years. The peace continued for much of his subsequent reign, allowing him to focus on administrative reforms, which were crucial to establishing a permanently stable government. Many of his reforms were based on the written plans of Julius Caesar. Some of these reforms included regular censuses and more equitable taxation, which encouraged business and industry. He also spent much energy in building up infrastructure, especially roads, and improving the condition of the plebeians. Other reforms had to do with the administration of the provinces and the army. He left some provinces under the control of the senate, but put many more under direct control of the emperor. He stationed permanent legions throughout the empire, and encouraged local autonomy in administration of the provinces. Finally, he was known, along with Maecenas, as a generous patron of the arts and literature.

Octavius married Livia in 39 B.C. and the marriage lasted over 53 years. They had no biological children together, but they raised Julia, the daughter of Octavius from a previous marriage, and Tiberius and Drusus, sons of Livia from a previous marriage. Julia did produce two grandsons for Octavius that were heirs to the imperial throne, but he outlived both of them, as well as his nephew Marcellus and stepson Drusus. The only remaining male relative at the death of Augustus was Tiberius, who inherited the imperial crown.

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