Augustus Caesar - The First Roman Emperor In ancient history there were many great leaders who saved the Roman Empire from destruction and demise. The leaders and heroes of the Roman Empire are countless, but one leader stands out from all the others. Augustus Caesar's contributions to Roman history helped make Rome the dominant empire we know today. Augustus Caesar was undoubtedly the greatest political leader in the history of the Roman Empire. As a young teenager, Octavian demonstrated his leadership ability long before he even thought of becoming Rome's first emperor. His strengths, characteristics and successes as a military leader show only a portion of the great political skills he possessed. After the murder of Octavian's great-uncle Julius Caesar in 44 BC; Octavian together with Mark Antony and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate. The three men lead their armies to Rome. The Roman Assembly granted the Second Triumvirate full powers for five years. With the full support of the Roman Assembly, Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus unleashed a feared campaign against all who opposed them. Octavian and his two companions temporarily ended the civil war of the Roman Empire in 42 BC. The Triumvirates, at Philippi in Macedonia, defeated the republicans led by Brutus and Cassius. They divided the empire among themselves. Antony remained in the rich East, Lepidus gained control of Gaul and Spain, and Octavian received Italy. In the t...