Aftermath of Julius Caesar's Assassination

Octavian (Caesar's grandnephew & adopted son) takes over and forms his won triumvirate. The people in his Triumvirate are Mark Antony (experienced general) & Lepidus (powerful politician). This is the Second Triumvirate. Octavian forces Lepidus to retire and Mark Antony and Octavian become rivals. Antony partners up with Cleopatra from Egypt for military, personal, economic, and political reasons. Octavian defeats them at the Battle of Actium. Octavian becomes the unchallenged leader of Rome. He was given the titles "Augustus" (exalted one) and "imperator" (supreme military commander). Rome became an empire instead of a republic. Octavian ruled for 40 years. He began a period of peace and prosperity called Pax Romana (Roman Peace). Pax Romana lasted for 207 years. Octavian expanded the Roman Empire into Africa. He set up civil service to run the government of the empire. He built a network of roads, collected taxes, established a postal service, administered the grain supply, built public facilities (aqueducts, etc.), set up a police department, and ran a firefighting organization. He finally died of natural causes. After Octavian died the power was passed down to more emperors. Tiberius ruled from AD 14 - AD 37. He was a great general but a reluctant emperor. After his son died, he exiled himself from Rome and left his prefects in charge. He died at the age of 77. Caligula ruled from AD 37 to AD 41 (only 4 years). He won a power struggle after Tiberius' death. He was known for his cruelty, extravagance, and perversity. He was assassinated by a group of government involved people who wanted to reestablish the republic, but it didn't work. Claudias ruled from AD 41 to AD 54. He suffered from a lot of illnesses like a limp, stammering, shaking, and slobbering, probably from having cerebral palsy. He took over because he was the last adult male of the family. He ruled well. He built roads, aqueducts, canals, and started the conquest of Britain. He died by poisoning. It was his wife's plan because she wanted her son (Nero) to rise to power. Nero ruled from AD 54 to AD 68. He emphasized the arts. There was a huge fire in AD 64. He wanted to rebuild Rome to be more majestic. He overspent his money and raided temples to get more. Historians don't like him. These are some of the emperors of Rome.