European History

When Octavian became the leader of Rome, his main goal was not to anger the people and be assassinated as his predecessor, Julius Caesar, had been. Therefore, Octavian’s reign was focused on consolidating power while at the same time maintaining the illusion that he did not have the absolute control that characterized a monarchy. Octavian turned out to be a clever strategist, brilliant leader, and fascinating man. […]

At the time of his accession as emperor, Caligula was greeted with enthusiasm. Soon, people discovered just how cruel (and possibly insane) he was. What made Caligula one of the most infamous emperors in the history of ancient Rome? […]

How did the Roman Empire end up with so many maniacal leaders? The answer lies in the actions of Rome’s very first emperor, Augustus, and the precedent he established for how emperors were selected. […]

The reign of the Flavian emperors began with Vespasian and then his son Titus, both of whom brought stability to Rome after years of strife. Eventually, though, disaster struck, peaking with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and followed by Titus’s abrupt death. His brother Domitian took over, a reckless leader with some eccentric hobbies. […]

One of Rome’s most influential leaders also ran a brilliant public relations and self-marketing campaign. Therefore, when assessing Augustus’s legacy, we must keep in mind that his main goal was to avoid assassination, which meant playing down his power and king-like qualities. We’ll take a look at his autobiography as well as the one blemish on an otherwise flawless reign. […]

What’s in a name? A lot, as we discover when exploring the many titles of Augustus, Rome’s first emperor. Discover the hidden meanings and oxymorons packed within these names, which were designed to assert his authority while simultaneously presenting him as a modest, benevolent figure. […]