The Pax Romana of Augustus
Octavian became Augustus Caesar in 27 BC after an elaborate public show of resignation and humility. Augustus was a religious title meaning "revered" which the Roman people bestowed upon Octavian in honor of his service.The Res Gestae were his memoirs recording his victories in Gaul (France) and Spain, military victories in the provinces which brought the Pax romana, an era of relative peace and prosperity, to the Roman people. Augustus was lionized by the Roman people--he promoted conservative Republican values even though he failed to re-establish it. He tried to restore faith in the Roman state by equating his role as pontifex maximus with religious and moral values. Augustus used religion to reorganize state and to establish his own rule. He assumed the title of Pontifex maximus (head priest) and revived old religious traditions like the Lupercalia festival to further associate the emperor with the state cult. He also promoted the cult of emperor as divine by building a temple to the Divine Julius. His views on morality extended to laws regarding adultery, unchastity, and bribery. Under Augustus, widowers were required to remarry within 3 years of losing a spouse, and those fathering large families were rewarded with public recognition.