Who is…
Augustus

also known as: Caesar Augustus, Augustus Caesar, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, Gaius Octavius (birth name), Octavian, Octavianus, Imperator Caesar and Imperator Caesar Augustus

Augustus is simply a title meaning “majesty” or “venerable,” first given to him by the Roman senate (27 BC). The title was used by succeeding emperors.

He was the first Roman emperor (caesar), and the founder of the mighty Roman empire. It was during his reign that Christ was born (Luke 2:1) in God’s perfect ideal timing for his incarnation and Earthly ministry.

Ancient statue of Caesar Augustus

The Apostle Paul wrote,

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…” —Galatians 4:4

Augustus’s reign is widely regarded by historians (and early Christian writers) as the moment when political conditions were uniquely ready for the Gospel:

The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) provided relative stability and safe travel.
A network of Roman roads and sea routes existed.
Koine Greek was the lingua franca of the East.
One empire, one emperor, one legal system enabled rapid spread of knowledge of Christ.
Augustus’s unification of the Mediterranean world is the historical stage God prepared for His Son’s coming.

Instrument of Divine Providence

His decree that “all the world should be taxed” was the divinely ordered occasion of Jesus’ being born as prophecied in a specific town.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.” —Luke 2:1–7 NIV

Augustus unknowingly became God’s tool to fulfill ancient prophecy. Micah 5:2 had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth (about 90 miles north), so under normal circumstances Jesus would have been born there. Augustus’s empire-wide census decree forced the couple to travel to Bethlehem—exactly where the Messiah had to be born—thus fulfilling prophecy centuries later through a pagan emperor’s administrative policy.

Contrast between Earthly and Heavenly kingship

Augustus was the first Roman emperor to be officially worshiped as a god (divi filius = “son of the divine [Julius Caesar]”). Temples, altars, and the imperial cult proclaimed him “Savior of the world” and bringer of peace and good news (euangelion).

The Gospel writers and early Christians noticed the irony:

Caesar’s false “gospel” (imperial announcements began with “Good news… Caesar Augustus…”)
versus the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, the real Savior, Prince of Peace, and the true Son of God Almighty.

This contrast becomes especially sharp in the accounts of Christ’s birth (angels announce “good news of great joy” in Luke 2) and later in Acts 17:7 (“There is another king, Jesus”).

Jesus, not Caesar, is the true Son of God, Savior, and Lord. Augustan Rome represents the pinnacle of human power and glory; the manger in Bethlehem represents the arrival of the true King who will outlast every empire.

Birth and death

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.

Before his death, Augustus associated Tiberius with him in the empire (Luke 3:1), thereby enabling his sucession to the throne.

Caesar Augustus died in Nola, Italy, on August 19, 14 AD. According to historical accounts, his death occurred at his villa in that town—about 15 miles (24 km) from Pompeii by straight line. Augustus was in sight of Mount Vesuvius, and by road, his villa was only about a half-day’s journey from Pompeii. Nola sits on the flat Campania Plain which is largely open and fertile volcanic soil from past Vesuvius eruptions. The volcano rises dramatically to 4,203 feet (1,281 meters) to the southwest.

After his death, the villa was consecrated as a temple for his idolatrous Imperial cult.

The villa where Emperor Augustus died has finally been unearthed

Archaeological journey to the northern foothills of Mount Vesuvius, where a groundbreaking discovery is rewriting our understanding of ancient Roman history. The University of Tokyo turned their gaze to the often-overlooked town of Somma Vesuviana, and their findings are nothing short of astonishing.

Buried beneath layers of volcanic ash and debris, this opulent residence offers a glimpse into the lives and extravagances of Rome’s ruling elite during that iconic era. From luxurious private baths to architectural grandeur, each meticulously uncovered artifact and structural detail paints a vivid picture of the indulgent lifestyles enjoyed by Augustus and his contemporaries.

Challenging long-held beliefs, the excavations at Somma Vesuviana reveal that even the northern foothills, previously thought to be less affected, were not spared from the volcano.

Video by Discovery Future

Length: 8 minutes

The famed 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, also buried and damaged Augustus’ villa. Later, another villa was built overtop it. Eventually the later villa and the town finally buried during the 472 AD eruption of Vesuvius.

According to ancient sources (primarily Suetonius and Cassius Dio):

Augustus had been on his way back to Rome from a trip to Campania and Beneventum.
He fell seriously ill and stopped at Nola, in the same villa where his father, Gaius Octavius, had died decades earlier.
He spent his final days there with his wife Livia and a small circle of close friends (including Tiberius, who rushed to his bedside).
His famous last words (according to Suetonius) were either the playful “Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit” (addressed to friends) or the more somber question to Livia: “Livia, remember our marriage—farewell.”
After his death at Nola, his body was carried in slow stages back to Rome for an elaborate state funeral, and worship as divine.

After his death, the body of this fake god, and supposed “son of god,” was transported back to Rome for burial and worship in his mausoleum.

Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome. Photo © Jamie Heath. License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic (cropped).

Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome built in 28 BC. Entombed here through the years were: Augustus and his wife Livia Drusilla, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Nero Claudius Drusus, Octavia Minor, Gaius Caesar, Lucius Caesar, Tiberius, Drusus Julius Caesar, Germanicus, Julia Livilla, Drusus Caesar, Julia Drusilla, Antonia Minor, Britannicus, Claudius, Agrippina the Elder, Nero Julius Caesar, and Nerva

Photographer: Jamie Heath. License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic.

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
Wife: Livia Drusilla
Daughter: Julia the Elder
Adopted Sons: Tiberius Caesar, Gaius Caesar, Lucius Caesar, Agrippa Postumus

More information

Article Version: December 8, 2025

Who is…Augustus