Western History 45: What was the Second Triumvirate? Who was Augustus?

The forces of Brutus and Cassius were defeated at Philippi by those of Marc Antony (a friend and ally of Caesar) and Octavian (Caesar’s adopted heir). A Second Triumvirate was born that dominated power politics in Rome. The Triumvirate consisted of Antony, Octavian and Marcus Lepidus (who would later drop off the political landscape). A point to note is that the First Triumvirate was the earlier post-Sulla alliance that consisted of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus (all of whom were now dead).

Antony, would then join forces with the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra but his forces would be smashed at the sea battle of Actium by a fleet led by Octavian’s loyal general Agrippa. Both Antony and Cleopatra would commit suicide shortly afterward leaving Octavian as the sole source of power in Rome

Octavian rule as the first Emperor of Rome taking the title of Augustus. The Roman Republic was officially dead with the Empire emerging in its place. Augustus would be venerated as a deity.

Augustus was a very competent ruler who reigned as Emperor from 27 BCE to 14 CE. He made peace with the Parthian enemy in the East, reformed the taxation system, improved road building, established a standing army and created the elite Praetorian Guard (a future player in Roman politics). Police and fire-fighting services were established and Rome expanded its territory into Hispania, Africa and Germania.

However the Romans did suffer some setbacks including a horrendous defeat at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD The three legions of Varus were ambushed and annihilated by the Cherusci, a Gothic tribe and former Roman ally. Rome would eventually vanquish Arminius (the leader of Cherusci) but the defeat at Teutoburg put a halt on Roman expansion into what is now modern day Germany