Augustus, as the first emperor of Rome, established a political system that would influence countless later empires and shape global history. He oversees the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire, setting a template that future emperors follow for the next 500 to 1500 years, as they all aspire to be like him, adopting his titles such as 'Caesar Augustus' and 'Imperator'.

The Roman Empire's succession problem was a significant failure of Augustus, who relied on heredity for leadership, leading to a series of incompetent rulers until a shift towards selecting qualified successors emerged.

Octavian's modest lifestyle and respect for the Senate helped him maintain power without appearing as a tyrant, contrasting with Caesar's arrogance.

Octavian's political savvy and ability to manipulate public perception allowed him to defeat rivals like Mark Antony, portraying them as threats to Rome.

Julius Caesar's rise to power culminated in his appointment as dictator for life, which was perceived as a threat to the Republic, leading to his assassination.

Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, established a system where soldiers were paid by the central state rather than local commanders, which helped maintain loyalty to the state.

Augustus frames his rise to power as a refounding of the Roman Republic, skillfully using propaganda to present himself as a defender of liberty rather than a king.

Augustus is seen as a model for rulers throughout history, representing both a positive and negative legacy, as many aspire to emulate his power and success, similar to how Alexander the Great is viewed.

The Romans would often take the sons of conquered tribal leaders, raise them as Romans, and incorporate them into their society, turning enemies into allies. As early as the second century AD, Roman emperors and senators began to come from provinces like Spain and North Africa, rather than just Italy.