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| A Potted history of the Roman Empire from BC100 to
Augustus Caesar Rome was a republic ruled by a senate. Several generals jostled for power and chaos ensued culminating in civil war (BC 49). The main contestants were Pompey and Julius Caesar. Caesar gained control from BC 49 until his assassination by senators in BC 44. Cassias and Brutus were two of the culprits. Caesar's adopted son Octavius was his chief heir. Mark Anthony was Cassias' right hand man. These four, Cassias, Brutus, Octavius and Mark Anthony, jostled for control of the empire. Eventually Octavius gained the allegiance of the west and Mark Anthony gained control of the east. Mark Anthony set up his headquarters in Egypt, jilted his wife (Octavius' daughter), declared his sweetheart (the Ptolemy Cleopatra) "Queen of Queens" and his son by her (Caesarion) "King of Kings". In the ensuing battle with Octavius, Mark Athony's troops defected en-mass and the two lovers committed suicide (BC 31). In BC 27 the senate gave Octavion the title "Imperator Caesar Augustus". He was declared "Son of a God" and altars were erected to him in several parts of the empire. Roman Emperors from BC 63 to AD 96 and Judaean rulers under Roman rule
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