After the death of Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic was in shambles. The Senate had little real power and men were fighting for the position Caesar held and the one Caesar aspired to. Octavian was the man who would emerge, not because he was the strongest, or because he was the most ruthless, but because he used his intellect. Octavian understood that Rome was nothing more than what the Senate made it. If he wanted to rule, he needed their support. He made them believe he was their equal, and they trusted and respected him for it. The most amazing thing is how he acquired his power. Octavian did not take control by force; he acquired it through shrewd politics. By appeasing the Senate, they in turn rewarded him with more power and control. Octavian acquired his power legally, and history proves it.
After Caesar's death, there was a void left at the top of the government. Two men were the natural choices to take over: Marc Antony, Caesar's right-hand man, or Octavian, Caesar's relative by blood. Antony, who was in Egypt recovering from war in Parthia, fell in love with Cleopatra (Queen of Egypt). Rumors circulated regarding those two and their plans for Rome; one of which included Cleopatra becoming Queen of Rome. Octavian, when alerted of these rumors, declared war on Cleopatra. After Octavian defeated her fleet, Cleopatra and Antony killed themselves, ending the argument over who should rule Rome.
Octavian was in a major bind. He was the most powerful man in Rome. After defeating Marc Antony, he was the heir apparent to Julius Caesar's position, and he had the power of an army behind him. Yet Caesar had had this power too, and it had ended in his murder. How would Octavian maintain the power he craved while at the same time doing it without using force? Octavian had two choices: he could find a way to keep the power, or he could show Rome that he was a good man, out for its interests and give it up.
