augustus Summary and Overview

the cognomen of the first Roman emperor, C. Julius Caesar Octavianus, during whose reign Christ was born (Luke 2:1). His decree that "all the world should be taxed" was the divinely ordered occasion of Jesus' being born, according to prophecy (Micah 5:2), in Bethlehem. This name being simply a title meaning "majesty" or "venerable," first given to him by the senate (B.C. 27), was borne by succeeding emperors. Before his death (A.D. 14) he associated Tiberius with him in the empire (Luke 3:1), by whom he was succeeded.

(venerable) Cae'sar the first Roman emperor. He was born A.U.C. 691, B.C. 63. His father was Caius Octavius; his mother Atia, daughter of Julia the sister of C. Julius Caesar. He was principally educated by his great-uncle Julius Caesar, and was made his heir. After his murder, the young Octavius, then Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus, was taken into the triumvirate with Antony and Lepidus, and, after the removal of the latter, divided the empire with Antony. The struggle for the supreme power was terminated in favor of Octavianus by the battle of Actium, B.C. 31. On this victory he was saluted imperator by the senate, who conferred on him the title Augustus, B.C. 27. The first link binding him to New Testament history is his treatment of Herod after the battle of Actium. That prince, who had espoused Antony's side, found himself pardoned, taken into favor and confirmed, nay even increased, in his power. After Herod's death, in A.D. 4, Augustus divided his dominions, almost exactly according to his dying directions, among his sons. Augustus died in Nola in Campania, Aug. 19, A.U.C. 767, A.D. 14, in his 76th year; but long before his death he had associated Tiberius with him in the empire.

AUGUS'TUS (venerable), Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus, b.c. 62-a.d. 14. The grand-nephew of Julius Caesar, and first emperor of Rome. It was he who gave the order for the enrolment which was the human occasion of the Bethlehemic birth of Christ. Luke 2:1. He was one of the second so-called triumvirate, with Mark Antony and Lepidus. After the removal of the latter he fought a battle with Antony at Actium, b.c. 31, defeating him. The senate saluted him as emperor, and in b.c. 27 conferred on him the title of "Augustus." Coin of Augustus in Berlin. He comes into the New Testament in connection with Herod, whom he had reinstated in his kingdom and greatly honored, although Herod had espoused the cause of Antony. At Herod's death Augustus divided his kingdom in accordance Marble Statue of Augustus, found in 1863 at Prima Porta, near Rome. with his will, and even educated two of his sons, since their relations had been very intimate. He reigned forty-one years, and was succeeded by Tiberius Caesar. Luke 3:1. See Caesar