Augustus of Prima Porta or the Emperor’s glorification

The future emperor Augustus was born Caius Octavius Thurinus on September 23, 63 BC. Known as Octavius, he was the grandson of Julia Caesaris Minor, sister of Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar, appointed consul and then dictator for life by the Senate, facilitated his grand-nephew’s access to prestigious positions. With no children of his own, he made Octavian his adopted son and heir to his fortune. In March 44 BC, Octavian learned of his great-uncle’s assassination. He decided to assert his rights and called himself Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus, or Octavian. Intelligent and gifted in politics, he first schemed to join forces with Caesar’s supporters to eliminate his adoptive father’s assassins, before turning against his allies and eradicating them in their turn. Already named Imperator by the Senate in 38 BC, and loved and admired by the people since his victory at the battle of Actium in 31 BC, he was awarded the title of Princeps senatus in 28 BC. The following year, he was designated Augustus for having brought an end to a century of civil wars, restored peace and preserved the senatorial Republic. The skilful manipulations of Octavian, now Augustus, brought the Roman Republic to the principate, without changing its structures and with the consent of both the people and the Senate. Although he flattered them, he concentrated all his powers and made all his decisions alone…