Augustus

This title, implying divinity, was first given to Gaius Octavius (Octavian), the first Roman emperor, by the Senate in 27 B.C. Later Roman emperors assumed the title (Acts 25:21, 25 in AV), but by itself when used as a name it refers to Octavian. Born in 63 B.C. , he was adopted by his uncle Julius Caesar, and became sole ruler of the Roman Empire in 44 B.C. Augustus was the architect of the Pax Romana, which for some years established peace and security in the Empire. He intervened little in local government of the provinces and simplified the procedure whereby the provincials could claim redress of abuses by the governors.In Judea, Augustus was a patron of Herod the Great and added territories to his kingdom, supporting him in his effort to fulfill his obligations as a loyal vassal to Rome and approving of his efforts to introduce Roman culture in Judea. Augustus reigned 44 years, and one month after his death in A.D. 14 he was deified.For the purpose of tax collecting, Augustus is said to have ordered a census of the population. According to the NT “This census took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.” As a result Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem to be registered, and Jesus was consequently born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). Some commentators believe this information to be incorrect since there is no evidence that Augustus ordered such a census, and the Roman Governor, P. Sulpicius Quirinius, only arrived in Syria in A.D. 6 at least ten years after the birth of Jesus