Augustus

Augustus, (venerable, Graecized Αὔγουστος.), the imperial title assumed by Octavius, or Octavianus, the successor of Julius Caesar, and the first peacefully acknowledged emperor of Rome. He was emperor at the birth and during half the lifetime of our Lord (B.C. 30 to A.D. 14), but his name occurs only once (Luke 2:1) in the New Testament, as the emperor who appointed the enrolment in consequence of which Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, the place where the Messiah was to be born. SEE JESUS. The successors of the first Augustus took the same name or title, but it is seldom applied to them by the Latin writers. In the eastern part of the empire the Greek Σεβαστός (which is equivalent) seems to have been more common, and hence is used of Nero (Acts 25:21). In later times (after Diocletian) the title of “Augustus” was given to one of the two heirs-apparent of the empire, and “Caesar” to their younger colleagues and heirs- apparent.

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Author: McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia

Keywords: Augustus

Bible reference(s): Acts 25:21, Luke 2:1

Source: John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.

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