Augustus

The Roman emperor at the time of the birth of Jesus (27 BC to AD 14). Born Gaius Octavius, he was named in Julius Caesar's will in 44 BC and became his adopted son and heir. He ruled alongside Mark Anthony and Marcus Lepidus in a triumvirate immediately after Julius Caesar's death but became emperor after the triumvirate broke down. Augustus' reign was known for the start of the Pax Romana or rule of peace which enforced a lack of conflict in the empire for around two centuries.