or Octavius Caesar, was nephew of Julius Caesar the dictator, being the son of Accia his father by Octavia a senator, and afterwards became the second emperor of Rome. He was born in the year of the city 691, during the consulship of Cicero. His uncle Julius Caesar adopted him, and left him the greatest part of his fortune. When he was but 20 years of age, he was raised to the consulship. His youth and inexperience were ridiculed by his enemies; notwithstanding which obstacle, his prudence and valour raised his consequence. He made war against his opponents on pretence of avenging the assassination of his uncle. He engaged in five civil wars with great success, viz. The wars of Mutina, Perusia, Philippi, Sicily, and Actium: the first and last of which were against M. Antony; the second against L. Antony brother of the triumvir; the third was against Brutus and Cassius; and the fourth against Sext. Pompey, son of Pompey the Great. He united his forces with Antony's at the battle of Philippi; and had he not been supported by the activity and bravery of his colleague, he would doubtless have been totally ruined in that engagement. In his triumvirate with Antony and Lepidus, he obtained the western parts of the Roman empire; and, like his other colleagues, more firmly to establish his power, he proscribed his enemies and cut them off. The triumvirate lasted for 10 years. He had given his sister Octavia in marriage to Antony, to make their alliance more lasting; but when Cleopatra had charmed this unfortunate man, Octavia was repudiated. Augustus immediately took up arms to avenge the wrongs of his sister; but perhaps... Octavianus, more eagerly to remove a man whose power and existence kept him in continual fear and constant dependence. Both parties met at Actium to decide the fate of Rome. Antony was supported by all the power of the east, and Augustus by Italy. Cleopatra fled from the battle with 60 ships, and her flight ruined the interest of Antony, who followed her into Egypt. The conqueror soon after went into Egypt, likewise besieged Alexandria, and honoured with a magnificent funeral his unfortunate colleague and the celebrated queen, whom the fear of being led in the victor's triumph at Rome had driven to commit suicide. After he had established peace all over the world, he shut the gates of the temple of Janus, A.U.C. 753. He was twice determined to lay down the supreme power immediately after the victory obtained over Antony, and on account of his ill health; but two faithful friends Mecenas and Agrippa dissuaded him, and contended, that if he did he would leave it to be the prey of the most powerful, and expose himself to the greatest dangers. He died at Nola in the 76th year of his age, after he had held the sovereign power for 57 years.—He was an active emperor, and consulted the good of the Romans with the greatest anxiety and care. He visited all the provinces except Africa and Sardinia, and his consummate prudence and experience occasioned many salutary laws. He is, however, accused of licentiousness and adultery; but the goodness of his heart, the fidelity of his friendship, and the many good qualities which the poets whom he patronized have perhaps truly celebrated, made some, though in the eye of strict religion and true morality but little, amends for his natural foibles. He was ambitious of being esteemed handsome; and as he was publicly reported to be the son of Apollo according to his mother's declaration, he wished his flatterers to represent him with the figure and attributes of that god. Like Apollo, his eyes were clear, and he affected to have it thought that they possessed some divine irradiation, and was well pleased if, when he fixed his eyes upon any body, they held down their eyes as if overcome by the glaring brightness of the sun. He distinguished himself by his learning; he was a complete master of the Greek language, and wrote some tragedies, besides memoirs of his life and other works, which are now lost. He married four times; but he was unhappy in all these connections; and his only daughter Julia disgraced herself and her father by the debauchery and licentiousness of her manners. He recommended at his death his adopted son Tiberius as his successor. He left his fortune partly to him and to Drusus, and made donations to the army and Roman people. The title of Augustus was conferred upon him by the senate after the battle of Actium and the final destruction of the Roman republic. The title continued afterwards, being given to his successors in the empire. Virgil is said to have written his Æneid at the desire of Augustus, whom he represents under the amiable and perfect character of Æneas. The name of Octavius was very common at Rome; it was the name of a variety of men of very considerable rank.