n the Egyptian fleet withdrew. Agrippa's fleet crushed the remnants of Antony's fleet, who survived and escaped back to Egypt with Cleopatra. Antony received a false rumor and killed himself by falling on his sword. Upon hearing of his suicide, Cleopatra killed herself with an asp, which was a symbol of the eye of Ra, the Egyptian sun god (Gibson). After the war was over, Octavian closed the Roman temple to Janus, the Roman god of beginnings of wars. This showed that the world was at peace.In 28 BC, Octavian and Agrippa became consuls. After one year, they turned the state over to "the free decision of the Senate and People of Rome" (Adcock 74). The Senate and people of Rome gave Octavian ten years of complete control. Octavian named himself the princeps, which is Latin for emperor. He ran the Empire as a monarchy, although it was disguised as a Republic. They still had a senate, but senators only made it into office with Octavian's approval. Those citizens who weren't fooled kept quiet, because Octavian kept things peaceful and governed fairly. Octavian ended the Roman tradition of conquest, cutting the army from seventy five to twenty eight legions. In 23 BC, Octavian gave up the consulate, but the senate forced himto keep power over the provinces. In effect, he ran the Empire from the background, while others were elected consul. These consuls had power, but always did what Octavian said. On his death bed, Octavian was advised to forgive his enemies. He responded with, "Yes father, but how can I? I have [killed] them all" (Adcock 75). Octavian was almost eighty when he died in 14 AD.After Octavian came the Emperor Tiberius. His reign was non-eventful, and he retired after plots against him were turned up.After Tiberius came Gaius, who was better known as Caligula. During his reign, Caligula went crazy. According to Burrell, anyone disagreeing with him was thrown to the lions in the Arena. He also got the Senate to name his horse cons...
