Octavian's two biggest achievements - Article Example

Octavian’s achievements of building a strong military and achieving Pax Romana are inextricably linked to each other. His strong military allowed him to achieve the much coveted yet elusive Pax Romana or unprecedented Roman Peace that ensued prosperity, beautification, improvement and Renaissance in the Roman Civilization. Octavian was able to achieve the establishment of a strong military due to the reform program he instituted after being installed as an Emperor of Rome after Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Octavian made himself a dictator and founded the principate which is system of monarchy which he headed for life with a strong military under his direct command (BBC). These political conditions allowed him to bring about his greatest achievements as Emperor of the Roman Empire. The military was under the direct of Octavian and it followed that it was strengthened to reinforce the political will of Octavian as a dictator of Rome. A strong military ensured him that his idea of principate which made him a ruler for life will not be threatened and provided stability in the Empire to allow peace to prosper.

Among the military reforms that Octavian instituted was the creation of a standing army abroad. His armies abroad took a proactive vigorous military campaign not only to expand the reach of the Roman Empire but also to ward off the possibilities of attacks and/or invasion from barbarians (BBC). In effect, he was able to check the external threat against the Empire even beyond its frontiers that Octavian’s army was able to neutralize them even before becoming a threat. Thus, the removal of the barbarian threat abroad by the expeditionary campaign of his military paved the way for peace or Pax Romana, which is patently Octavian or Augustus Ceasar because of the legacy it created that we still enjoy today in the field of arts, culture and literature whereby it flourished due to the stability, good administration and unprecedented peace that prevailed during Octavian’s rule.

Pax Romana or Roman peace did not only meant the relative absence of conflict in the Roman Empire but also meant an efficient administration that allowed the city to flourish. The absence of anxiety of an impending conflict enabled the Empire to focus its energy on reconstruction and improvement both among the governed and the government of Octavian. In the administration aspect, Pax Romana brought and effective civil service system which was created for the able Romans to have a career in governance and thus, public administration became effective.

Taxation was also made reasonable contrary to Octavian’s predecessor who taxed excessively. This reinforced the atmosphere of peace since there was no dissent among the population that could be wrought up by harsh taxation. Thus, there was also no internal threat because the citizens were generally content with the taxation and civil administration of Octavian. Peace was further reinforced by the establishment of a permanent police force and fire brigade to ensure the peace and order and to effectively respond to any fire disaster in the city.

As a result, Rome became safer, more beautiful, cleaner with happier citizens. Pax Romana or Roman Peace also paved the way for stability and provided the necessary atmosphere for culture, arts and beatification to flourish. The legendary poets such as Virgil, Horace and Propertius, flourished and became the poets of the day.