Octavius Caesar

Also known as: Caesar / Octavius / young Octavius · Family: Roman · Role: heir · First appears: Julius Caesar · Act II, Scene III

After Julius Caesar summoned him to Rome, Octavius joined Mark Antony and Lepidus in consolidating their alliance against Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius. He helped condemn Cicero and many senators through their proscriptions, then fought at Philippi beside Mark Antony, taking the right wing while Mark Antony held the left. Though Marcus Brutus overthrew his forces in one engagement, Octavius continued the campaign until Caesar’s assassination was avenged; after Marcus Brutus died by Strato’s sword, he offered employment to those who had served him and ordered his remains buried honorably in his tent: “Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie, Most like a soldier, order’d honourably.”

In Italy, Octavius faced Fulvia and Lucius, Sextus Pompeius, and Labienus, while working with Lepidus against Pompey. He joined Mark Antony in treaties and temporary reconciliation, including Mark Antony’s marriage to Octavius’s sister Octavia, but their alliance later gave way to rivalry. Octavius seized Lepidus and confined him until death, welcomed Octavia back to Rome, and prepared for war against Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

During the final conflict, Octavius directed commanders including Taurus, Marcus Octavius, Marcus Justeius, Publicola, Caelius, and Canidius, whose forces eventually surrendered after the defeat at Actium. He rejected Mark Antony’s requests unless Cleopatra expelled or killed him, sent Thidias to win her away, and ordered Agrippa, Proculeius, Dolabella, and Gallus to carry out his commands. After Alexandria fell, he placed Cleopatra under guard, allowed her to retain some wealth, planned to send her and her children to Rome, and finally ordered her burial beside Mark Antony before returning to Rome.