First emperor of Rome (27 BC-AD 14) and grandnephew of Julius Caesar. Born Gaius Octavius, he took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus—often referred to simply as Octavian in English texts—in 44 after Caesar's assassination. He defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 and subsequently gained control over Rome and its extensive territories. In 27 he was named emperor and given the honorary title Augustus.