Orbis Terrarum Extremitae
Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus
Great Nephew of Julius Caesar, Descended of Apollo, Ruler of Rome
Roman Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus is 69 years old. Despite his fearful reputation, Emperor Augustus is short, walks with a limp, and is beginning to go blind in one eye.
Born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, he was adopted posthumously by his great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar when Caesar was stabbed to death on the steps of the Senate on the Ides of Martius in 710 AUC. The young Octavian joined forces with Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in ruling Rome, but this Second Triumvirate collapsed under the competing pull of each member's ambition. Mark Antony committed suicide following his defeat by Octavian's naval forces at the Battle of Actium, and Lepidus was driven into exile – Octavian emerged triumphant, becoming the ruler of Rome.
Augustus has initiated an era of relative peace in the Empire, with the exception of continuous frontier wars. He has, over his long lifespan, expanded the Empire, securing its borders with client states, and made peace with Parthia through diplomacy. He has reformed the system of taxation, developed networks of roads with an official courier system, and established a standing army (and a small navy), created the Praetorian Guard, and constructed official police and fire-fighting forces for Rome. Much of the city has been built under his rule.
Augustus has named his recently-adopted son Tiberius as his reluctant heir.