One of these was led by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. Then Augustus got a lucky break. In 46 BC, Caesar won the civil war and was named dictator of Rome. To secure his position, he needed an heir.

A superb general and politician, Julius Caesar (c.100 BC – 44 BC / Reigned ... reigned over by emperors and their hereditary successors. It was the start of a brand new age for Rome.

Roman proconsul Julius Caesar conducts a series of military campaigns ... In the event, he was succeeded by his adopted son, Octavian, who consolidated the drift toward authoritarian leadership ...