Constantine the god of the bible

[Cerrone]

The real thing that Octavian was revered for -aside from bringing an end to the wars- was improving peoples lives within Rome itself. The plebians were in crisis because slaves were taking the jobs, so Octavian set new legislature demanding -much to the anger of the wealthy patricians- that so many percentage of jobs had to be given to a citizen instead of a slave, so that citizens were employed and earning money instead of the work being given to slaves who were paid nothing. This cost the ruling class a lot of money, but it was the smart move on his part and brought some prosperity into ordinary peoples lives. And of course as his own said "I found Rome a city of clay, and left it a city of marble".

He was definately a good guy, for that last reason alone.

No doubt about it, he was a clever politician and a manipulative cunt (in the complimentary sense of the word) but he achieved some impressive things. Chucks talking about judging a leader by their skill at war, but when the war's finished people may still starve right? Octavian not only succeeded in war, but he took great pains to ensure that the citizens were well cared for.

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Actually let me correct myself there... was it Mark Antony who enacted the citizen/slave jobs legislature initially? I remember reading that it was Octavian years ago, but i'm also remembering the Rome tv show where Mark Antony did it.. ah well..