September 2: Today is the Anniversary of the Battle of Actium, which ended the Roman Republic in 31 BC, when Octavian's armies defeated the united forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

A representation of the naval Battle of Actium, 2 September 31 BC, which took place off the western coast of Greece. Octavian, through this decisive victory over the combined forces of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, became master of the Roman world.

The naval battle took place off the western coast of Greece, at the site known as Actium. Hence the name: The Battle of Actium.

Mark Antony and Cleopatra. After the death of Julius Caesar, Civil War broke out in Rome. Mark Antony made an alliance with Cleopatra to dominate Rome from Egypt.

After a decisive victory of Octavian, the defeated Antony and Cleopatra fled to take refuge in Alexandria.

Battle of Actium (31 B.C.) - The Republic was already finished by 31 B.C.. The Battle of Actium was not fought to determine whether the Roman Republic would live or die; it was fought to determine who, Octavian or Mark Antony, would rule.

However, Octavian followed and besieged the city, which Antony and Cleopatra chose to commit suicide.

The Death of Cleopatra by Reginald Arthur, 1892.

It was rumored that Cleopatra was chopping a breast of one of the most poisonous snakes. Hence Arthur Reginald painting entitled "The Death of Cleopatra".

Mark Antony's death depicted by Pompeo Batoni.

Octavian returned victorious to Rome where he was received with honors and became the first Roman emperor Augustus with the name, which means large and venerable!

The Death of Cleopatra by Guido Cagnacci, 1658.

Because of this war, Octavian became the first official emperor of the Roman Empire named Augustus (Venerable) by the Senate and who ruled from 27 BC until the year 14 AD.

Caius Iulius Caesar Augustus known as Caesar Augustus and usually only as Augustus, was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He ruled from 27 a. C. and 14 d. C.

Born under the name of Key Octavio Turino, he was adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar in his will, in the year 44 a. C.

From that moment until 27 a. C. was renamed Julius Caesar Octavian. At 27 a. C. the Senate granted him use the cognomen of "Augustus", and thus became Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus.