Augustus, Rome's first emperor Quiz

Answer: He borrowed the money to execute Caesar's will.

Octavian showed amazing political acumen, even as a youth of 19. He borrowed the funds and distributed the money exactly according to the Caesar's will, thereby gaining a great deal of support among the benefactors, including the people of Rome. Eventually, Antony relented and allowed Octavian to claim his inheritance.

Answer: Tiberius Claudius Nero

Tiberius Claudius Nero was married to a very pregnant Livia, who already had one son, Tiberius. Octavian divorced his second wife, Scribonia, to marry Livia when Scribonia gave birth to a daughter, Julia. Livia proved to be a great asset, coming from the noble Claudian family.

Answer: He wanted to lead her into Rome in chains behind his chariot.

Octavian had no plans other than to utterly destroy Antony and Cleopatra, but wanted to humiliate the proud Cleopatra by bringing her into Rome in chains behind his chariot as the spoils of war. At this stage of his life, Octavian lacked scruples, but he evolved into the magnamimous Augustus.

Answer: Interest rates fell and money came out of hiding.

This is a commonsense solution. When confidence is restored, economies improve. Far from creating a financial crisis, with banks closing, Octavian stabilized the Roman economy.

Answer: Proconsular

Proconsular power, even under the Republic, was granted to those who had to exercise authority outside of Italy. Augustus, step by step, acquired the functions of various government offices. To be granted proconsular power meant that Augustus could exercise great authority over the Roman provinces.

He was extremely careful to avoid the impression that he was creating a monarchy. In 27 BC, Augustus dramatically resigned his powers and expressed the desire to live as a common citizen. The part was well played.

He acquired more power in this seemingly modest move.

Answer: He disbanded many legions and settled their veterans in colonies.

Augustus would never have violated Rome's sacred tradition and camp an entire army outside of Rome. He wisely disbanded many of the legions and settled the veterans on colonies throughout Italy and the Empire. Later, when he divided authority over the provinces between himself and the Senate, he judiciously kept control of legions in key areas. No one truly ruled in Rome without the support of the army.

Answer: Scribonia

Augustus had only one natural child, Julia, by his marriage to Scribonia. She is later referred to Julia the Elder and eventually banished for her immoral behavior. Augustus and Livia had no children together, which forced Augustus to constantly forage for a successor.

Answer: Druids

Augustus banished the Druids from Rome because of their alleged practice of human sacrifice. Druid practices have never been proven historically, however. Roman emperors were naturally suspicious of foreign cults, and Augustus was no exception. Christianity had not even had its origins since Augustus died in 14 AD long before Jesus began his ministry.

Answer: The Pantheon

Agrippa is best known for constructing the Pantheon in Rome. The Coliseum was not completed until the Flavian dynasty. There is an inscription above the entrance of the Pantheon stating that Agrippa made the temple during his third consulship.

Answer: Sextilis

Augustus gave his name for a month in our calender, just as Julius Caesar gave his name to the month of July.

Answer: Drusus the Elder

Livia was pregnant with Drusus when she married Augustus. Quinctilius Varus was the commander who suffered a humiliating defeat in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (9 AD). Germanicus was not a stepson and Marcellus was briefly a hopeful successor to Augustus. He was Augustus' nephew, the son of his sister, Octavia.

Answer: Ovid

Ovid wrote the "Art of Love," a highly erotic book of poetry. Augustus was beginning his marriage reforms and legislation at that time, and he found Ovid's writings objectionable. Juvenal lived a bit later, and Livy was a historian.

Answer: 40 or more

After the conquest of Egypt, all or most of Antony's legions defected to Octavian. This left Octavian in supreme power over the Roman Empire and it is thought that he returned to Rome with an excess of 40 legions. Since a Roman legion was normally composed of 5,000 men, more or less, this would have been at least 200,000 men who were loyal to Octavian. During the previous years, although the exact number is debated, it is thought that Antony had mustered almost 30 legions.

Answer: He was not of noble birth.

Agrippa had very humble origins and there was objection to his marrying into the imperial family, particularly from Livia, who was a proud Claudian. Augustus' will prevailed, however, in this because he was grateful for Agrippa's friendship and loyalty.

Answer: Nola

Augustus enjoyed a long reign and left Rome better than it was when he assumed power. He had bouts of ill health all during his life. He was visting Nola, the place of his father's death, fell ill and died.