“I found Rome a city of clay, but I leave it a city of marble.” That’s what the Great Emperor Augustus said before he died.
Before Augustus, Rome was a mess. The republic was crumbling, and civil wars tore the
city apart. People didn’t know who to trust. But then came Augustus. He took a republic
torn apart by civil wars and turned it into the most powerful empire the world had
EVER seen.
117 A.D. Roman Empire Map
Augustus, originally named Gaius Octavius, was the grandnephew and adopted son of
Julius Caesar. He was just an ordinary boy from a wealthy family in a small town
called Velitrae, far from the shining city of Rome. When Julius Caesar, his famous
grand-uncle, was assassinated in 44 BC, Augustus was only 18 years old. Most people
thought he was too young and inexperienced to matter. But Caesar had secretly adopted
him as his heir. Overnight, Augustus became one of the most important people in Rome.
Can you imagine being a teenager and suddenly being thrust into the middle of one of
the biggest political fights in history? That’s exactly what happened to him.
At first, Augustus didn’t have much power. The streets of Rome were dangerous and
filled with chaos after Caesar’s death. Augustus cleverly teamed up with two powerful
men, Marcus Antonius and Marcus Lepidus, to form a political alliance called the
Second Triumvirate. Together, they defeated Caesar’s killers.
But alliances in ancient Rome didn’t last long. Augustus eventually turned against
Antony, who had grown too close to Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra. Their final showdown
came at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, where Augustus’s navy crushed Antony and
Cleopatra’s forces. Just a year later, both Antony and Cleopatra tragically took their own
lives, leaving Augustus the sole ruler of Rome.
In 27 BC, Augustus did something extraordinary. Instead of declaring himself king—a
title Romans hated—he called himself “Princeps,” meaning “first citizen.” He presented
his rule as if it were for the people, but in reality, he held absolute power. The Senate,
grateful for the peace he brought, gave him the title “Augustus,” which means “the
revered one.” From then on, he became Rome’s first emperor.
One of his biggest successes was expanding Rome's borders. Augustus sent Roman
legions to conquer new lands, adding Egypt, the Balkans, and parts of Spain to the
empire. He also secured the Alps, making Rome’s borders safer. In Egypt, he took
control of the Nile, which became a key source of grain to feed Rome’s massive
population. His generals, like Agrippa, won battles that made the empire rich and
strong.
One of Augustus’s smartest moves was building trust with the provinces he conquered.
Instead of treating everyone like enemies, he made them part of the Roman world. He
allowed local leaders to keep some power, and he built roads, temples, and cities to
connect the empire. This way, people felt they were part of something great, ROME.
Did you know that a single Roman legion could crush an army twice its size? That’s how
powerful and organized the Roman armies were during the time of Augustus. But here’s
the shocking part: these soldiers weren’t just fighters, they were builders, engineers,
and even peacekeepers!
When Augustus became the first emperor of Rome, he knew he needed an army that
could do more than just fight battles. He wanted an army that could conquer, protect,
and even build the empire. So, he created one of the most disciplined and professional
forces in history: the Imperial Roman Army.
The Roman Legions: The Backbone of the Empire
A Roman legion was a highly trained unit of about 5,000 men. These soldiers were
called legionaries. Every legionary had to be a Roman citizen, which was a big deal back
then. They trained for hours every day, learning how to march in perfect lines, fight with
swords (gladii), and defend with large shields (scuta). Under Augustus, the Roman army
was organized into 28 legions, each with its own number and name.
Roman legion under Augustus
But what made the legions so unstoppable was their teamwork. Imagine thousands of
men moving like a machine, each one knowing exactly what to do. One of their most
famous tactics was the Testudo, or "Tortoise" formation. Soldiers would lock their
shields together to form a protective shell, making them almost impossible to defeat
with arrows or spears.
Roman Testudo, or "Tortoise" formation
Under Augustus, these legions expanded Rome’s borders to places like Spain, Gaul, and
Egypt. They didn’t just fight, they built roads, forts, and even bridges as they moved.
The Auxiliaries: Allies from All Over the Empire
While the legions were made up of Roman citizens, the auxiliaries came from all the
different provinces Rome had conquered. These were non-citizen soldiers who brought
their own unique skills to the army. For example:
Archers from Syria could hit targets from incredible distances
Cavalry from Gaul and Germany were experts at fighting on horseback
Slingers from the Balearic Islands could knock out enemies before they got close
These auxiliary troops were vital to the Roman army because they added diversity and
special abilities. In return for their service, auxiliaries were rewarded with Roman
citizenship after 25 years. This was a huge honor and showed how smart Augustus was
in winning loyalty from all parts of his empire.
At its peak, Augustu’s empire was home to over 70 million people, about a quarter of
the world’s population at the time! Augustus even made sure the roads across the
empire were so well-built that some are still used today. Augustus rebuilt temples,
theaters, and public baths, creating a city that shone with beauty and grandeur.
But not all campaigns were easy. In 9 AD, the Romans faced a disaster in the Teutoburg
Forest. Three legions were ambushed and wiped out by Germanic tribes.
Germanic tribes
Augustus was so upset that he banged his head against a door, crying, "Quintilius Varus,
give me back my legions!"
Despite this, Augustus learned from the loss and focused on defending the empire’s
borders instead of reckless expansion.
Here’s a fun fact that might surprise you: Augustus was extremely superstitious. He
believed in omens and often consulted oracles. Once, during a storm, lightning struck
close to him, and he took it as a sign that he was destined to rule. He even built a temple
to honor Jupiter, the king of the gods, to thank him for his victories.
Augustus ruled for an incredible 41 years, from 27 BC to AD 14. His reign was so
peaceful and prosperous that it became known as the Pax Romana, or “Roman Peace.”
This peace lasted for over 200 years, allowing trade, art, and culture to flourish like
never before. But Augustus wasn’t just a ruler; he was a genius at creating a legacy. He
made sure people remembered him as the man who saved Rome and brought it to
greatness.
If you’re a fan of wargaming, you can see Augustus' Rome come alive through WoFun’s
miniatures. Our Imperial Rome PD collection, illustrated by the renowned Peter
Dennis, ensures that each miniature is not just a piece for your game but also a piece of
history. These miniatures come in two sizes: 18mm and 28mm scales, perfect for
tailoring your experience to your gaming setup. The collection includes not only the
mighty Roman legions and auxiliary forces but also their most challenging enemies,
such as the Germanic Tribesmen, Dacian Infantry, and more.
Germanic Tribesmen, Dacian Infantry, and more
These adversaries, like the Gothic warriors and fierce Dacian falxmen, highlight the
diversity of Imperial Rome's foes, allowing you to recreate their legendary battles in
vivid detail. The double-sided, pre-painted designs bring authenticity and immersion,
making every battle on your tabletop feel like stepping back in time.
I hope you enjoyed my little excursion of Augustus and his incredible impact on the
Roman Empire. Now, it's time for you to bring this remarkable era to life with WoFun’s
Imperial Rome miniature collection.
See you soon!