5 Military Leaders Who Rose To Fame in Their Teens
Augustus (Octavian) Caesar
Born in 63 BC, Augustus Caesar is the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor. He was at the helm of the empire from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.
Born to a wealthy plebeian Octavii family, Augustus Caesar was adopted posthumously by his maternal great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar who had no legitimate children.
At the time Caesar was assassinated, young Octavius was studying and undergoing a military training in Apollonia, Illyria. Discarding the advice of some senior officers to take shelter with the troops in Macedonia, the teenager sailed to Italia to make certain whether he had any potential political fortunes or security. Upon his return, he came to know that Caesar had left him two-thirds of his estate, plus had named him both his son and heir. Aspiring to follow in his adopted father’s footsteps, the youngster began to strengthening his military prowess and won the support of those loyal to Caesar.
On May 6, 44 BC, 18-year-old Augustus led a small army and was successful in driving his adopted father’s assassins out of the city. He then began strengthening his military arsenal and was inducted to the Senate at the tender age of 19. He was also granted imperium, which gave him command over the Roman army during the same period.
Augustus Caesar went on become one of the greatest emperor and military leader who led the Roman Empire to great victories. He perished in 14 AD when he was 75 years old.
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