How did Caesar Augustus transform Rome?

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📢 Narrated by David McCallion
📜 Research and script by: Skylar J. Gordon
🎵 Music:
EpidemicSound www.epidemicsound.com/
#augustus #rome #caesar

[@HistoryMarche]

🚩 Go to bit.ly/thld_cs_historymarche and use code HISTORYMARCHE to save 25% off today. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring today’s video.

[@javiUSC]

This image looks nothing like the historical image of Augustus

[@Scorpion51123314512]

Actually Octavian didn't kill all of the children Mark Antony and Cleopatra had. Their Children Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene II and Ptolemy Philadelphus were spared. While Caesarion was not spared. Alexander, Cleoptra and Ptolemy were taken to Rome and put under the guardianship of Octavian's older sister Octavia The Younger and they were generously received by Octavia, who educated them with her own children.

[@cruffatin]

Very important to remember Marcus Agrippa in the story of Augustus. The man was a true political genius, but was not a general. Agrippa was, and not only won him a number of great victories on his rise to power, never even came close to betraying him.

[@AKAZA-kq8jd]

The Polar opposite of octavian and yet they work well together.

[@augustuscaesar8287]

@@AKAZA-kq8jd Idk that I would call us """"polar opposites"""". Just like you and Justinian, I was to politics at the time what Agrippa was to military. If we didn't have similar beliefs, it wouldn't have worked out. Just like you and Justinian. By the way, I'd have smacked the shit out of Gelimer if he started opening his mouth at one of my triumphs, calling it vanity of vanities. Missed opportunity there.

[@AKAZA-kq8jd]

@@augustuscaesar8287 I wanted to get Perozes after he Is insulted me to prepare him a bath at Dara but sometimes we can't leave things to chance.

[@augustuscaesar8287]

@@AKAZA-kq8jd Ehh.. In that case you made the right decision to put that silly letter on your eagle standard.

[@AKAZA-kq8jd]

@@augustuscaesar8287 Long trem is better then sort.

[@Ubique2927]

David McCallion should have a very lucrative career narrating everything from Ice Cream Adverts to National Geographic documentaries. I could listen to him reading a bread recipe.

[@benedictjajo]

No shit. I would choose him to narrate my life story over Morgan Freeman. Morgan Freeman is great too.

[@flazzorb]

@@benedictjajo Hear me out, what if they _both_ narrated your life?

[@ArchonShon]

@@flazzorb McCallion narrates the first half while Freeman ends the show.

[@al_wombat]

…if it weren’t for the repetitive, annoying music.

[@ADogNamedStay]

@@flazzorb what if they argued while narrating your life?

[@FreeFallingAir]

I feel like a kid at Christmas, all these new history channels on here, Invicta, Kings and Generals, Epic History TV, The History Guy, y'all and many many more. Gah it's a great time for history nerds! Thanks for all the hard work, it's greatly appreciated

[@Rafay7969]

absolutely man, knowledge is a gift

[@FreeFallingAir]

@@Rafay7969 very much so!

[@FreeFallingAir]

@@giorgosgkialpis1394 indeed

[@Spartan265]

@@giorgosgkialpis1394 He sucks.

[@HumanBodyMaintenance]

Yes and historia civilus too

[@alex_zetsu]

I'm still amazed how Ceasar not only gave most of his personal wealth to Octavius (this was something I did expect) but adopted him given how his early life was. It's one thing to be found of the boy and believe he's deserves your personal stuff. By adopting him, Ceasar indicated he saw the boy as the heir to not just his wealth but his legacy. Historians call the boy at this point in time "Octavian" which means "the person who used to be named Octavius/Octavia (depending on gender)" which is to simplify things because to his contemporaries, after the future emperor's adoption his name was Gaius Julius Caesar. This is how he would sign his name and his close friends would call him "Gaius." Seeing all these Ceasars would confuse a reader, so it's no wodner history books call him Octavian. But in his own time Octavian was bascially a new Caesar

[@adampleasants2078]

The most amazing thing about the story is how baldly the will was forged. Octavius, already a powerful politician in command of some legions, went behind closed doors and wouldn't you know it, he inherited everything!

[@leonardodavid2842]

The actual reasons behind Caesar decision is unclear. It should be noted the will was not a finished product. Within it, Caesar actually mentioned Antony and Octavian as guardians of his children. Chidden which Caesar did not have (Julia was dead, and he never had male children. If we ignore the existence of Caesarion, which was probably a lie anyway). So Caesar was supposedly expecting to have children. In the absence however, Caesar wrote Octavian ended up getting something around 75% (The rest going to his younger cousins). So Caesar may have been planning a different outcome and Octavian was advantaged by luck. However, as you say, his adoption is quite peculiar. For one, btw, post-mortem adoption was not a standard practice. It was not a first, however it was not common either, and many tried to block it as illegal. Adoption both of family and name, was usually done while both men were alive as a sign, often political. However since Caesar wrote it in his will only, we have no precedence to attempt to understand what Caesar meant of it. We should be skeptical of what Octavian ended up doing of it. Because he obviously used it best as he could, and interpreted it in order to give him the greatest politcal advantage. Quite skilfully. Although it's possible Caesar was expecting this, there is no evidence to support it, and perhaps Caesar meant something else. Mark Antony surely thought so. It should also be noted Caesar was planning to appoint Octavian as master of the horse for his Parthian campaign. A sign of being second in command. And lot's of other political roles were being proposed for the young man. Which certainly implies Caesar decision to give his nephew a greater role in the Caesarian camp. However this was not unique to Octavian. Caesar had done similar things for most of his other close followers, including Brutus. So it's not as if Octavian was an exclusion. However Caesar only gave his name to Octavian not to anybody else. We have no idea why. Only interpretations, opposing interpretations, by Octavian and his enemies.

[@Gabsboy123]

@@leonardodavid2842 Being named the equivalent of "Julius Caesar Jr." was enough of a proof for adoption.

[@tylerdurden3722]

@@adampleasants2078 I think you're confused about the details of the story. 1. Octavian didn't have access to the will. He wasn't even in Rome. Antony, who was sure he would inherit the most, took control of the will...and then made the mistake of opening and reading the will in public. To his, and everyone else's shock, Octavian was adopted posthumously, made Ceasar's political heir and left 1/3rd of Ceasar's wealth. Obviously, Antony was very unhappy and reluctant to accept it. Octavian, who was in Illyria, heard this news and decided to go to Rome to press his claim. (against the advice of everyone). Antony, who was still in charge of the will, refused to give Octavian his portion of the inheritance...claiming that much of the property was unfairly confiscated by Caesar and Antony would hold on to it until people's properties were restored to them and Ceasar's debtors paid. Antony started giving away and selling off properties for his own gain and political favors and used up a big chunk of Octavian's inheritance. Many of the the individuals who helped Antony embezzle the will, used that money to secretly fund Octavian's cause . Octavian eventually publically reiterated a detail in Ceasar's will that promised money to each and every Roman citizen. This forced Anthony's hand, and the people had to be given what was promised (to protect his popularity). The rest of the wealth was spent on this. All Octavian really got, was Ceasar's name...and he used that to great effect. 1. The Cursus Honorum was the political ladder every roman had to climb if he intended to take on a political career. First, you had to spend a mandatory 10 years in the military before you could even think about qualifying for political office. (Btw, It was illegal to command soldiers without holding high enough political office) Octavian was 19 when Caesar died. You do the math. Octavian had no power...until Caesar adopted him posthumously.

[@monadsingleton9324]

And it would probably irritate Augustus if he knew that we today call him "Octavian" when discussing his early adulthood.

[@magivkmeister6166]

Quite possibly the most important man since Alexander, and maybe the most important man in the history of Rome

[@resileaf9501]

A most worthy heir to Caesar indeed.

[@22bach64]

The best one to carry Ceasar's legacy for sure. He, with his talents, was in right place at the right time. Like, i mean, destiny's choice.

[@houseplant1016]

Augustus was a tyrant who only loves himself, he has achieved this all by betraying the men who helped him and destroying Rome.

[@tylerdurden3722]

@@houseplant1016 Who did he betray, that "helped him"? Anthony didnt really help him. Cicero (and the senate), thought he could manipulate the young man into having the Caesarians fight and destroy themselves. He thought wrong. Lepidus insisted on taking Sicily (which would have caused another civil war), but his own soldiers, fed up of civil wars, abandoned him and joined Octavian. And Lepidus was made Ponifex Maximus and retired in a villa. Octavian and Aggripa were tight till the very end.

[@houseplant1016]

@@tylerdurden3722 1. Cicero was a good man, a man of the Republic. Octavian let him being killed by antony and his hands and head being chopped of. He was a man trapped between the mightiest men but still obeyed the morals of the senate. 2. Vergil, the so called "good friend" of August, for the people that don't know Vergil: he was a talented writer who August used to write propaganda. When Virgil was dying he asked that the Aeneid should be burned but August full of egoism ignored the dying man's last words and ordered his best friends to publish it.... 3.August may be a good emperor but the people who came after him were the reason that the Roman empire ended, he is not the father of the Roman empire but the father of the end of Rome. The majority of the emperors after him were corrupt and like a poison for the Roman empire. And he caused this totalitarian system...

[@VOTE_REFORM_UK]

Its amazing how Augustus as sickly as he was not only managed to be one of the longest reigning emperors but THE longest reigning Roman emperor.

[@enderreaper1482]

Well not really if you include the Byzantine emperors. Basil ll has a longer reign of 49 years.

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

Gaius Octavius was extremely well-educated. People tend to forget that. Without his education and wide knowledge he would not have managed to do what he achieved. I have no children and adopted a boy like that who is extraordinarily gifted as a diplomat, wise far beyond his years. I consult him on political matters since he was 14 and he never failed to give a good and correct judgement.

[@trisbres]

The title is wrong for this video, it’s the story of Augustus gaining power, and not how he ruled and transformed Rome

[@MaciekSadowski]

I was about to say the same thing. Fine video, but the title is misleading.

[@popediosilon9708]

Yes, great video, bad title

[@CoolAdam247]

Theres obviously going to be a part 2. Your nitpicking is lame.

[@popediosilon9708]

@@CoolAdam247 Feedback is always good for creators, no need to be so edgy cool adam

[@popediosilon9708]

@@CoolAdam247 besides, if there was a part 2, the title here would still be wrong. I love this channel, I think it's good that people voice their opinions.

[@JawsOfHistory]

Step 1: Be close friends with Marcus Agrippa Step 2: Give Agrippa an army Step 3: Chill on the beach Step 4: Rule Empire acquired by Agrippa

[@tylerdurden3722]

Most of the maneuvering wasn't directly military. Rome was much more complex than that. Most of Augustus' success in rising to power was: Aquiring funds. Attracting veterans. Getting the soldiers of his opponents to join him. Making the right alliances Abandoning alliances at the right time. Handling the almost impossible administrative headaches of the Italian Peninsula with success. Launching propaganda wars. E.g. Octavian wasn't really an emperor, and Rome was still a Republic (on paper). Octavian had to painstakingly spend the rest of his life accumulating power within the current system. E.g. He had officials from various provinces in his pocket. He didn't have official control. Also, he still had to run for elections and have the senate vote on things. On paper, the Roman political engine still functioned the same as before Augustus. There was no redesign. Augustus merely manipulated every last drop out of what was still the Roman Republic.

[@vegancookies340]

Yes 😂😂

[@gizel4376]

@@tylerdurden3722 Augustus had eveything in his pocket, the people, the senate and the army, the people and the army are a must, just like ceasar had, but for true stability, you also need the senate

[@yakdudu]

As a man named Augusto by his mother in honor of Augustus, I welcome this video! Thank you.

[@WilliamLawrence7]

Cool, My Son is named Victor Octavius

[@augustuscaesar8287]

Your mother is a smart woman apparently.

[@InvadeleYogurt]

You found your mother of rocks, left her of marble

[@agnusdeiquitollispecatamundi]

​@@WilliamLawrence7I'll name my son Lorenzo Augustus

[@FlashPointHx]

He was given a city of brick and left it a city of marble.

[@imaad2042]

When is next episode coming on History of Byzantium bro? I can't wait

[@KHK001]

love this quote

[@jaredgarbo3679]

I think he said that of Agrippa, who improved Romes irrigation and public buildings.

[@FlashPointHx]

@@imaad2042 Just got done recording it today - will have the video out next week

[@FlashPointHx]

@@jaredgarbo3679 What have the romans ever done for us?

[@EvilPumpkin]

"The debauchery and chaos we had to endure will now end. Rome, shall be again what she once was." - Augustus Caesar.

[@pinchevulpes]

Order from Chaos

[@themistoclesofathens5822]

"Have i played my part well? Then applaud as i exit" Augustus.

[@skyfall7110]

"Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit." Augustus, 19th August 14AD

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

"In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society!" But in this story, they did.

[@magivkmeister6166]

If only you had succeeded, mon empereur

[@777peacelove]

I love Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar so much. But I also can feel the bond that Julius and Augustus had between each other. I will forever have them in my heart.

[@RandomlyGeneratedUsername]

We need an episode on Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Not only was he vital to Octavian's success, towards the end of his life the honours and titles bestowed upon him made him essentially an equal to Augustus, with sole exception being that Augustus had power over him as his adoptive father. Much of the later official imagery (coinage f.ex) depicted Augustus and Agrippa as equals. I will argue until the end up time that Agrippa rose to become Augustus co-emperor and should be regarded at least as much of a Roman emperor as Lucius Verus is.

[@chemicalman53]

The sound design across the board for this is simple top notch. From the long familiar sounds of flags rising and falling and the soothing VA to the less common but no less impactful piano background I cannot help but once again fall into history.

[@HistoryOfRevolutions]

"A wealthy traveller fears an ambush, while one with empty pockets journeys on in safety" - Ovid

[@HoH]

Incredibly interesting topic and very well-told!

[@andrewgardner105]

I was unexpectedly emotional after watching this. Incredible job as always and a prefect choice of music!

[@Caesarius]

Such a great documentary! The script, narration, animation and music are truly beautiful.

[@dns911]

What is the name of the music? The piano piece in the background. *I NEED IT*

[@Caesarius]

@@dns911 Hard to say, but I guess (!) it is a Piano Piece which you can find on Epidemic Sound.

[@nonyabusniss7777]

great video as always, this really helped me understand augustus/octavian much better than anything else ive ever come across. and very accessible too, much appreciated

[@moohaameed]

You never stop amazing us with your consistency of your quality and thoroughly explanation of history events whether it is about battles, personalities, reforms and etc. You truly are a scholar of history! 👏🏿👏🏿⚔️

[@fsul8536]

Caesar must have seen something in him to name him his heir. He certainly proved him right.

[@redboy4315]

wow this background music and this skillfully made narrative really making me lose tears. Thank you so much for doing this video.

[@KHK001]

Amazing as always!

[@VH25]

This was excellent I truly do enjoy they way you guys put together these learning videos I'm a huge fan! Please keep it up!

[@cynthiascholes4731]

Thank you for making this video

[@dansmith4077]

Thank you history marche good work.

[@mrdj204]

Caesar and Caesar Jr are so fascinating, could watch videos about them forever

[@JackRSlim]

Thanks for the vid

[@kuwaitisperson5849]

Thank you for everything 💐

[@HistoryfortheAges]

As always, great material.

[@Dronaddict]

a masterpiece as always, the explanation and animations are so great that i would prefer ur channel over national geography

[@cloore3239]

Octavian truly was a great man

[@thehistorybard6333]

Yes! Im so keen for videos on the rise of the Roman Empire. Awesome video, I love the artwork

[@DragonHybridVaeludar]

3:47 The one choice that made him an emperor

[@davidhughes8357]

Always the best possible content.

[@Wallyworld30]

I didn't learn anything from this video as I know Augustus tale better than our own George Washington's. Yet I stick click and watch and listen to it being told to me for the 1000 time because it's always a fun story to listen to.

[@aSm8full]

The background piano music make your legendary videos 10x better

[@kwezicanca3698]

Wish I could get the soundtrack too❤️❤️

[@linusmawira8780]

It's The narration for me. Thumps up 🙌 Oh, have subscribed as well!.

[@saeeda6613]

I do not understand English very much, but there is a translation for almost all the clips, and this makes the person to see other beautiful channels like you

[@Anonymous07192]

Love this channel. :,)

[@bluenoteone]

Good job, Mate!

[@jileel]

Excellent video

[@smacpost3]

Very cool. Thank you.

[@bigsarge2085]

Fascinating!

[@irish-italianintrovert.8600]

Great video, Augustus is one of my favorite historical figures but I wish this vid was a little longer and explained his life a lot more in detail.

[@alanrxs7069]

Great stuff.

[@swayamtawde5068]

The background music complements the narrator

[@HellenicWolf]

great video

[@Thraim.]

"Hey Augustus. Are your trying to become an autocrat?" "... no?" "Oh OK, if you say so."

[@imaad2042]

HistoryMarche and Kings and Generals uploaded the same day♥️

[@albertgreene313]

The musical element of this vid was interesting, a kinda liked it, even if i wasnt sure how it meshed with the rise and establishment of Augustus.

[@wowisthatgami8293]

So, the title of this video is "How did Caesar Augustus transform Rome?". This is more like an "Brief Overview of the Life of Augustus". All the information in this video is very observant and shallow. His entire lifetime summed up in 15 minutes. "He did this, defeated this, came here, did this"... Okay but HOW did he do these things? Where's the grit or dirt? "Doubled the territory"... ok... anything more that can be said? That seems really important. This is kind of glossed over, like reading a single wikipedia article. The title suggested it was going to look into his actions AFTER the civil war specifically. A whopping

[@MarsRacingNetwork]

David is an amazing narrator!

[@HaloJumper7]

Narrators are what make a documentary great

[@Sealdeam]

Just an small correction the son of Marcus Antoinus that was executed by Augustus alongside Caesarion was not a son of Cleopatra he was the eldest son Anthony had by his wife Fulvia; maybe resentment towards his mother could had played a part in such decision but if Augustus already had the same kind of sangfroid he showed later in life when dealing with his own family ruthlessly I think then it probably was mostly a cold and calculated decision, the boy, Marcus Antonius Antyllus, was old enough already to have a mind and personality almost fully formed, raised by Anthony to be one of his successors (and he was his heir by roman law), a teen almost old enough to be considered a man, he was a possible danger if the same mercy Caesar showed towards his future assassins was given to him, the rest of his siblings were young enough to be easier to control and most of then had the prestigious blood of the Ptolemaic dynasty which proved to be useful in the future diplomatic dealings of Augustus with the many client kingdoms of Rome, his younger full-sibiling Iullus Antonius would also die violently but in very different circumstances almost three decades later.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Octavian really was a political genius. His rise to power showed how Caesar was wise to choose him as an heir

[@user-vr5sc7zj1s]

Thank-you for trying to show this man's greatness. Unequivocally the most influential figure in western history.

[@robbabcock_]

How do you do it!? Another superb episode! 👍⚔🏹

[@aliosman0]

"Behold, I found Rome of clay, an leave her to you of marble."

[@phoenixrises2686]

A 20 year old boy who outsmarted all Rome

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Excellent History channel & a wonderful History Video thanks for Sharing ..events are obviously showing There are not always Friend Relationship or always enmity in political mobilizing thanks for sharing...Augustus was a great umpire

[@mrhumble2937]

Rome was such a good depiction of him.

[@JC-mx9su]

HistoryMarche I am learning a lot of History from you. I can't wait for more videos such as: The Rise of Augustus Caesar Part 2 Hannibal (Part 17) Second Punic Wars.

[@RexGalilae]

Came early to pay respects to Caesar Augustus

[@Michael_Brock]

By Jove that was a good video. 👍❤️❤️❤️

[@Caesar-ww3yp]

Thank you for keeping us history nerds entertained, eternally grateful

[@contactaquarios2023]

Excellent! When next one? What about Hannibal?

[@hamdeath1110]

I saw a picture of probably Julius Caesar when I was a child and I remember the picture of him standing in the Roman forum (forum of caesar) addressing the people of the Republic, I was quite amazed by seeing that picture and to this day I still have that picture in my mind tbh so intriguing It surely is a reality that men do think about the Roman Empire every single day, greetings from Pakistan

[@neilambert]

Great video. What is the new song?

[@ragael1024]

By Jupiter, this was an exquisite one.

[@nord1544]

Caesar appoints a sickly boy as his successor and augustus sets like 6+ people as his successors and they all die

[@funfacttrivias2121]

Very clear and informative naration u would want to hear all the words he said good job HM

[@themosticonicscenesinmovie8737]

Great video and weird music

[@dilanthayapa6110]

Julius Caesar was a great judge of character. Octavian was an unlikely contender but there could not have been a better emperor.

[@YksiSuomalainen]

Octavian murdered Caesar's child. Not so sure about his character.

[@user-jm3sk8gy4s]

مبدع ❤️🇮🇶

[@pantheon3671]

"Have I played my part well? Than applaud me, as I leave the stage."

[@timberwolfe1645]

Can you do my memoirs? Like geez, I want to be remembered in this kind of video. Concise, to the point, dark and light days ahead

[@coreysmithson4002]

We readily have an image of what a leader is, whether it be a President or an Autocrat, Dictator or King. All of these men who have ruled all owe their pursuit to the image one man created. Not some mythical being, not some mere idea of what a ruler is. THIS man is the standard, one that might never be matched. He's so real he almost doesn't seem like he existed, you know?

[@brokenbridge6316]

nicely informative video. This guy doesn't' get the recognition Caesar does.

[@amuktadir1991]

Sir just keep up the good work in u society.

[@deano8103]

I like the art of ur vids can it all be viewed in one place?

[@amuktadir1991]

FIRST BEAUTY vs last Beauty.

[@firemangan5024]

You forgot about Octavious’s adventures with a cowboy and a giant

[@tahzib1451]

07:42 oh yeah....nothing speaks more Roman than a legionnaire caressing ripe wheat.....

[@awesomehpt8938]

He changed it from brick into marble

[@amuktadir1991]

NEXT king Arther,Robin hood(Long bow),And last two knight(All kind of cavalry And two type of bow).

[@SonKunSama]

The question asked in the title is not really being answered in the video, which is mostly about how Augustus came to power. I reckon most of us know this already, would have loved some more in-depth information about the policies of Augustus during his long reign.

[@corngreaterthanwheat]

Dying in the month you named after yourself is such a hardcore gangster move...

[@coffeeupnorth1398]

"Thankyou for watching, if you enjoy the video .... " Wtf do you mean IF you enjoy the video, we certainly did as always!

[@22bach64]

The greatest emperor without being a genius general. Instead, he can use his manpower very well to pick up new, skillful and loyal ones.

[@TonyFontaine1988]

You didn't tell us how he transformed Rome. You just did a overview of how he got power and his life.

[@artisaprimus6306]

Caesar Augustus was the most important Roman in the history of Rome. A brilliant politician who was aided by his enforcer Marcus Agrippa.

[@somewhere6]

By Jupiter and .. Baal, I hope 2022 will see the next chapters in the Second Punic War before too long.

[@53yearsago56]

Nice.

[@HxH2011DRA]

"Have I played the part well? Then clap as I exit."

[@Augustus_Imperator]

Someone had to do it 🌿