Octavian Augustus and his Military Success

“What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease”(Sun Tzu). In every sense of the word, he was a clever fighter. His kingdom stretched for miles, over continents and vast bodies of water. He understood his enemies, he even knew them personally. He entered every battle confident of his victory. He was the cornerstone in the formation of the Roman empire, and arguably the most influential man in the entirety of its history. His name was Octavian Augustus(McManus).

Before one can fully comprehend Octavian’s military success, they must understand where he had his roots. Born Gaius Octavius, the future ruler of the Roman Empire was the great-nephew of Julius Caesar. Some historians believe that Caesar had a part in his upbringing, but many more think it was simply a loose influence through family. The first recorded public appearance Octavius made was to give the eulogy at the funeral of his grandmother, who was also Caesar’s sister. Fast forward, Octavius had several years of travel and successful campaigns with Caesar’s army under his belt. While still on campaign, Octavius received the news that Caesar was assassinated, and as a result of his great-uncle’s will, he was to be adopted by Caesar. At the time of his adoption, it was 44 BC and Octavius was in Apollonia with Caesar’s army. Upon hearing the news, he departed for Rome, and did his best to lie low while he began to piece together the full details of the assassination and his adoption. Due to his new adoptive father, Octavius took a new name, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. However, many of the people that he was surrounded by simply called him Caesar, and nearly all historians call him Octavian from this point onward, to a...

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...d not have gone worse for Octavian at the beginning, a storm and a defeat at sea looked to have called for the end of the campaign. But in a move that could not have been more cunning, Agrippa captured Sextus’s ports before the fight even began, and as a result Octavian’s army completely brought down the fleet that the enemy had raised. Agrippa had accomplished what Sun-Tzu so wisely calls us to do when we find ourselves in war. Sextus himself tried to escape towards the east, but was caught and killed. Following the battle, Lepidus made a grab for power by defying Octavian with his twenty legions of men. However, this futile attempt for power didn’t last long, as his men deserted him rather quickly, leaving him alone to face Octavian. Proving again that he is a merciful leader, Octavian spared the man, leaving him to live out the rest of his life under house arrest.