On 16 January 27 BC, the Roman Senate conferred upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian the honorific title "Augustus," signifying a new era in Roman history.
This act marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire, with Augustus becoming its first emperor.
The title, derived from the Latin word "augustus," meaning venerable or majestic, was chosen to emphasise his supreme status and the divine nature of his rule.
Augustus' ascension to power heralded a period of relative peace and stability known as the Pax Romana, which would shape the empire's legacy for centuries.
