2019-01-16 Wed

16th January 27 BC, is a day when Roman Statesman and military leader, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus became the first ruler of the Roman Empire. He was granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of Roman Empire.

Augustus was born as Gaius Octave Thurinus into an obscure family in the year 63 B.C. As a young boy, he had maternal connections with Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was very impressed by young Octavius. He had no living legitimate children of his own; though he named Octavian as his successor and has left him three-quarters of his estate and made him the successor after him.

Beginning with Augustus, emperors built far more monumental structures, which transformed the city of Rome. Augustus reformed entire military and coinage system of the newly founded Roman Empire. He issued gold and silver coinage minted with his portrait.

Augustus controls the Imperial Rome from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. On his demise, Augustus became an official title of his successor, and was so used by Roman emperors thereafter.

Depicted above is a silver denarius issued during his reign. The coin portrays the emperor wearing a laurel wreath, which was a symbol of honor and victory; on its obverse. The reverse bore the phrase “DIVVS IVLIV(S)” implies an association with the gods.

Image Source: wikipedia.org