OCTAVIAN.(36 BC). Mint in central or southern Italy.Denarius.

Obv : IMP CAESAR DIVI F III VIR ITER R P C.
Bare head right.

Rev : COS ITER ET TER DESIG.
Tetrastyle temple, with star in pediment and containing veiled and togate statue of Julius Caesar with lituus; lighted altar to left.
Crawford 540/2; CRI 315.
EX BIGA.

Condition : The coin is in relatively well-preserved condition with a dark grey patina, which suggests a natural aging process over time. The details on both sides of the coin are visible, though slightly worn, with some areas showing a more textured surface. The patina has developed evenly, giving the coin an antique appearance and protecting it from further oxidation.Very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 3.50 gr
Diameter : 18 mm

Octavian, later known as Augustus, was one of the most pivotal figures in Roman history. Born Gaius Octavius on September 23, 63 BCE, in the town of Velitrae (modern-day Velletri), he became the first Roman emperor and the founder of the Roman Empire, marking the end of the Roman Republic. His reign, which began in 27 BCE, lasted until his death in 14 CE, ushering in a long period of relative peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.

Octavian was born into a wealthy equestrian family, with strong ties to Roman nobility. His father, also named Gaius Octavius, was a senator, while his mother, Atia, was the niece of Julius Caesar, which established a crucial familial connection to the famous general and statesman. When Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE, Octavian was a young man of just 18 years, studying abroad in Illyricum. Upon learning of Caesar’s death, he returned to Rome, where he discovered that Caesar had named him as his adopted son and heir in his will.

This unexpected turn of events thrust Octavian into the tumultuous world of Roman politics. The power vacuum created by Caesar’s assassination led to a struggle between various factions, including Caesar’s loyal followers, led by Mark Antony, and the republican forces led by Brutus and Cassius, the chief conspirators in Caesar's murder. Despite his youth and inexperience, Octavian quickly proved to be a shrewd and determined political player, securing the loyalty of Caesar’s veterans and building support among the Roman populace by emphasizing his connection to the beloved Caesar.

In 43 BCE, Octavian entered into an uneasy alliance with Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, forming the Second Triumvirate. This political alliance was designed to defeat the forces of Brutus and Cassius, who were attempting to restore the Roman Republic. The triumvirs’ forces decisively defeated the republicans at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE, after which the Roman world was effectively divided among the three triumvirs. Antony took control of the eastern provinces, Octavian the western provinces, and Lepidus governed North Africa.

However, the alliance between Octavian and Antony quickly began to deteriorate. Antony’s growing involvement with Cleopatra VII, the queen of Egypt, and his increasing focus on the eastern part of the empire alienated many Romans, who viewed him as abandoning Roman values in favor of foreign influences. Octavian skillfully used this situation to his advantage, launching a propaganda campaign portraying Antony as a traitor to Rome, more loyal to Cleopatra than to the Roman state. Meanwhile, Octavian positioned himself as the defender of Roman traditions and the rightful heir to Caesar’s legacy.

The final break between Octavian and Antony came in 31 BCE, when Octavian declared war on Cleopatra. The two sides met in the decisive naval Battle of Actium, where Octavian’s forces, under the command of his general Agrippa, won a decisive victory. Antony and Cleopatra fled to Egypt, where they both committed suicide the following year, leaving Octavian as the undisputed ruler of the Roman world.

In 27 BCE, Octavian was given the title “Augustus” by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of his reign as the first Roman emperor. Although he claimed to have restored the Republic, Augustus in reality held absolute power, though he cleverly maintained the outward appearance of republican governance. He became *princeps*, or "first citizen," a title that conveyed authority without explicitly declaring himself king or dictator. This careful balance allowed Augustus to consolidate power while avoiding the fate of Julius Caesar, who had been assassinated for his overt attempts to become a monarch.

Augustus' reign brought about significant reforms in nearly every aspect of Roman life. He reorganized the Roman government, creating a more efficient bureaucracy and establishing a professional standing army loyal to the emperor. He also reformed the tax system, promoted public works such as roads and aqueducts, and initiated the construction of many monumental buildings in Rome, which he famously claimed to have transformed from a city of brick into a city of marble.

One of Augustus’ most lasting contributions was the establishment of the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability that lasted for over 200 years. Through a combination of military might and diplomatic savvy, Augustus secured the Roman borders and brought an end to the civil wars that had plagued the Republic for decades. His reign allowed for the flourishing of Roman culture, art, and architecture, and his administrative reforms helped stabilize the empire for generations.

Despite his political and military success, Augustus' personal life was marked by difficulties, particularly regarding his succession. His only biological child, Julia, was a constant source of scandal, and several of his potential heirs, including his grandsons, died before they could succeed him. Ultimately, Augustus adopted his stepson Tiberius, who succeeded him upon his death in 14 CE.

Augustus died at the age of 75, after a reign of over 40 years. He was deified by the Senate, becoming a god in the Roman pantheon, a reflection of the immense influence and legacy he left behind. His reign not only marked the end of the Roman Republic but also laid the foundations for the Roman Empire, which would dominate the Mediterranean world for centuries.

In conclusion, Octavian, later known as Augustus, was a masterful politician and military leader whose reign fundamentally transformed Rome. Through strategic alliances, military victories, and astute political reforms, he brought an end to the civil wars that had destabilized the Republic and established the Roman Empire. His reign marked the beginning of a long period of peace and prosperity, and his legacy as Rome’s first emperor remains one of the most significant in the history of the ancient world.