Who is…
Augustus
also known as: Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, Gaius Octavius (birth name), Octavian, Octavianus, Imperator Caesar and Imperator Caesar Augustus
He was the first Roman emperor (caesar). It was during his reign that Christ was born (Luke 2:1).
Augustus was born in Rome on September 23, 63 BC, very close to the Roman Forum. He was raised by his grandmother, Julia, the sister of Julius Caesar.
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 is 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 (14 A.D.), he associated Tiberius with him in the empire (Luke 3:1), by whom he was succeeded.
Relatives
- Father: Gaius Octavius
- Adoptive-Father: Julius Caesar
- Mother: Atia
- Grandmother: Julia
- Maternal great-uncle: Julius Caesar (aka Gaius Julius Caesar), the self-declared “dictator in perpetuity” of Rome
- Daughter: Julia the Elder
- Adopted Sons: Tiberius Caesar, Gaius Caesar, Lucius Caesar, Agrippa Postumus
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