was invited to. Octavian was careful to consult members of the Senate before making political decisions, even if he held little value in their opinions. In these ways, the Senators remained happy with Octavian even as they gradually lost their power. Octavian became more and more powerful by becoming pontifex maximus, the religious head of state, in 12 B.C.E and pater patriae, or father of the country, in 2 B.C.E (Drinkwater & Drummond 1993). Octavian held strong beliefs in traditional Roman religion. He restored over 80 temples and passed strict moral laws that mirrored older Roman values. The return to traditional values was influential in uniting the empire. With his position solidified, Octavian set about on yet more reforms of government. He cast out Senators that he deemed unworthy and filled their spaces with provincial governors and army commanders. Octavian had by now changed the government exactly to his liking. He knew that his system would remain strong for many years to come. When Octavian died in AD 14, his achievements seemed remarkable, and they would only become more remarkable as time passed. One thing Octavian had not prepared well for was who would succeed the emperor. Octavian had adopted his stepson Tiberius and made it clear he would be his successor but could anyone govern as well as Octavian had? Tiberius, although highly experienced and a superb commander of troops, did not have the personal touch of Octavian (Drinkwater & Drummond 1993). Tiberius left Rome and lived on the island of Capri where he maintained his power as emperor, but was the target of many rumors and plots back in Rome. Caligula was the next to become emperor. However, like Tiberius he was a disappointment. Caligula focused more on the personal benefit provided by being emperor rather than improving the empire. He was eventually murdered in AD 41. After the disappointments of Tiberius and Caligula, there was much talk of truly restoring the R...
