The Rise of Augustus as Emperor
Call Kai
Learn
Practice Test
Spaced Repetition
Match
Flashcards
Knowt Play1/37
Earn XP
Description and Tags
Vocabulary flashcards detailing key dates, figures, and events in Octavian's rise to become Rome's first emperor, Augustus.
38 Terms
Who was Julius Caesar?
A powerful Roman general and politician who became extremely influential in the Roman Republic.
How did Caesar gain so much power?;
Through military victories in Gaul, wealth, political popularity and the loyalty of his soldiers.
Why was Caesar's growing power a problem?;
It threatened the balance of power in the Roman Republic and raised fears of one-man rule.
What was the Roman Republic designed to prevent?;
One person becoming an absolute ruler.
What were the main political institutions of the Roman Republic?;
The Senate, elected magistrates, two consuls and other political offices.
What was the First Triumvirate?;
An informal political alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus to increase their political influence.
Why did Caesar and Pompey become rivals?;
They competed for political and military power after Crassus died in 53 BC.
What happened when Caesar crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC?;
He brought his army into Italy without permission, challenged the Senate's authority and began a civil war.
Why was crossing the Rubicon significant?;
It marked Caesar's open challenge to the Roman Republic and began a civil war.
What happened after Caesar crossed the Rubicon?;
He defeated Pompey and his supporters, allowing him to gain even more power.
What position did Caesar eventually receive after defeating his enemies?;
Dictator.
What happened to Caesar's dictatorship in 44 BC?;
He was appointed dictator for life.
Why did Caesar becoming dictator for life alarm Romans?;
It suggested that he could become a permanent ruler and undermine the Republic.
Why did some Romans fear Caesar?;
He had too much military and political power, was dictator for life, threatened traditional republican government and reduced senatorial influence.
When was Julius Caesar assassinated?;
15 March 44 BC, known as the Ides of March.
Who were two important conspirators involved in Caesar's assassination?;
Brutus and Cassius.
Why did the conspirators claim they assassinated Caesar?
They claimed they were defending the Roman Republic from Caesar's growing power.
Did Caesar's assassination restore the Roman Republic?;
No. It led to further political instability, conflict and civil wars.
Who was Octavian?;
Caesar's adopted son and heir, originally born Gaius Octavius.
Was Octavian Caesar's biological son?;
No. Caesar adopted Octavian and named him his heir in his will.
What was the Second Triumvirate?
A political alliance formed in 43 BC between Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus
Why did the Second Triumvirate form?
To share power and defeat their political enemies, including Caesar's assassins.
Why did the Second Triumvirate eventually break down?
Octavian and Mark Antony increasingly became rivals, while Lepidus lost influence.
Who became Octavian's main rival?
Mark Antony.
Who was Cleopatra VII?
The queen of Egypt who became closely associated with Mark Antony.
How did Octavian use propaganda against Mark Antony?
He portrayed Antony as too closely connected to a foreign queen and as abandoning Roman interests.
What was the Battle of Actium?
A decisive naval battle in 31 BC in which Octavian's forces defeated Antony and Cleopatra.
Why was the Battle of Actium important?
It left Octavian as the dominant political and military power in the Roman world.
What happened to Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BC?
Both died, and Egypt came under Roman control.
When did Octavian receive the title Augustus?
27 BC
Why is Augustus historically important?
He became Rome's first emperor and established the foundations of the Roman Empire.
Why didn't Augustus openly declare himself king?
Romans associated kingship with tyranny, so openly claiming the title could have threatened his political support.
How did Augustus maintain the appearance of the Republic?
He allowed traditional institutions such as the Senate and magistracies to continue while concentrating real power in his own hands.
What is the significance of 44 BC in the transition from Republic to Empire?
Caesar was appointed dictator for life and assassinated, intensifying Rome's political crisis.
What happened in 31 BC?
Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium.
What happened in 43 BC?
Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate.
What happened in 27 BC?
Octavian received the title Augustus, traditionally marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.
What is the overall cause-and-effect chain leading to the Roman Empire?
Caesar's growing power led to his assassination in 44 BC, but the Republic was not restored. Civil wars followed, Octavian defeated his rivals, became Augustus in 27 BC and concentrated political and military power while republican institutions remained.