OSHER 656 - Augustan Settlement

Caesar's death in 44 BCE had restarted the civil wars. Octavian's defeat of Marc Antony brought to an end the century of civil strife. But Octavian (now hailed as Augustus) had to face a shattered economy, a Rome that had swelled to over a million people, most in need of jobs, food, protection and housing. He had an army of over 80 legions, who had been promised farms and bonuses. Rome also needed renewel of faith in Rome and its institutions, a return to normalcy and identity. It came in the form of the AUGUSTAN SETTLEMENT.