Caesar Augustus was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor. As a child, his name was Octavius. When Julius Caesar was assassinated, his will adopted Octavius as his son, posthumously. At that point, Octavius changed his name to Gaius Julius Caesar, but to avoid confusion, historians call him Octavian after this point. A civil war broke out between him (Caesar's son) and Marc Antony (Caesar's best friend) for control of Rome, and Octavian won, thereby becoming Emperor, at which time he changed his name to Augustus, the title confirmed on him by the senate in 27 BC. He brought peace and prosperity to the Empire after decades of civil war and initiated a golden age in Rome, and is considered by many to be the greatest Roman emperor. His many construction projects in Rome include a sundial made with the Solar Obelisk, the Forum of Augustus, the Pantheon, the Ara Pacis, and the Mausoleum of Augustus. He autobiographically listed his accomplishments as the Res Gestae Divi Augusti ("the achievements of the deified Augustus"), which can be read here or here.

                                                                                                                                                          

Places in Rome to see the contributions of Augustus:

• Built the Forum of Augustus and the Temple of Mars the Avenger
• Completed the Curia Julia in the Roman Forum
• Completed Caesar's Forum and the Temple of Venus Genetrix
• Built the Milliarium Aureum in the Roman Forum
• Completed the construction of the Basilica Julia in the Roman Forum
• Constructed the Rostra of Augustus in the Roman Forum
• Rebuilt the Temple of Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum after the fire of 14 BC or 9 BC.
• Built the Temple of Julius Caesar in the Roman Forum to honor his adopted father, Julius Caesar
• The Arch of Augustus in the Roman Forum was built to honor him
• The Birth Home of Emperor Augustus (then named Octavius, of course) is at the edge of the Roman Forum near the Colosseum.
• Had Agrippa build the initial version of the Pantheon.
• Had Agrippa build the Basilica of Neptune.
• Built the Ara Pacis.
• Built the Mausoleum of Augustus.
• Erected the Flaminian Obelisk in the central spina of the Circus Maximus.
• Brought the Solar Obelisk to Rome where it formed the gnomon of a huge sundial.
• Completed and dedicated the Theatre of Marcellus.
• Built the Porticus Octaviae and dedicated it to his sister Octavia Minor.
• Had Agrippa overhaul the Cloaca Maxima
• Restored the Temple of Portunus
• Had Agrippa build the theater in Ostia Antica.
• Restored the Pons Aemilius.

See also:

• My Augustus photos