The Roman Empire was founded by Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. Augustus, born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was the great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar, and rose to power following the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC. In 27 BC, Augustus was officially granted the title of "Augustus" by the Roman Senate, which marked the beginning of the Roman Empire. Under his rule, Augustus brought peace and stability to the Roman Republic after years of civil war, and ushered in a period of prosperity known as the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. Augustus ruled for over 40 years and is considered
