Who Was Augustus Caesar?
Octavian Augustus Caesar was the first emperor of ancient Rome. He was a Roman statesman and beloved military leader.
Octavian is considered by many to be the greatest emperor of the Roman empire.
When Octavian turned nineteen years old, his great uncle Julius Caesar adopted him. This was in the year 44 BCE (44 years before the common era ).
In that very same year, a mob stabbed Julius Caesar to death on March 15th next to the Theater of Pompey.
Soon after Caesar's assassination, the young Octavian formed an alliance with Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius) and Marcus Lepidus in 43 BC.
Octavian gave his sister Octavia minor in marriage to Antony in order to strengthen their alliance.
But, Antony instead became embroiled in an affair with Cleopatra VII, the Queen of Egypt. Cleopatra and Antony had a son Caesarion.
As a result, Octavian was infuriated by Antony's disrespect to his sister.
Then, when Octavian discovered that Antony's will said that Caesarion is the true heir of Julius Caesar and not Octavian, that was the straw that broke the camel's back.
The Battle of Actium
In 31 BC, the Roman Senate declared war on Cleopatra and Antony. Octavian raised an army to fight against the combined armies of Antony and Cleopatra.
And he was successful in soundly defeating Antony. This is how Octavian became the first emperor of the Roman Empire.
During his 41 year reign, Roman citizens enjoyed an unparalleled golden age of peace and prosperity (aka Pax Romana).
‘Pax Romana' was so widespread that the Roman Senate gave Octavian the title Augustus in the year 27 BC.
Augustus means ‘The Illustrious One' or ‘The Magnificent.'
Augustus Ceasar laid the foundations of the Roman Empire which lasted for another 1500 years, which is quite remarkable.
He was so popular that all subsequent Emperors of Rome were titled with ‘Augustus Ceasar' as part of their name.
Watch this video for more information on the downfall of the Roman republic and the emergence of the Roman Empire:
And what does the life of Augustus Caesar have to do with weight loss and strength training?
Can you glean any tips from this Roman warrior and leader to improve your own mind and body fitness?
Fortunately for us, several pithy quotes were recorded by Augustus Caesar's stepson Tiberius and daughter Julia.
You will soon see how you can use these quotes for your own fitness motivation.
Every Month is a New Beginning
Have you ever wondered if the word month was related to the word moon?
The truth is that in the Biblical language of Hebrew, the word ‘month' and the word ‘new' do have the same etymological root.
But, what about English or Latin?
If you check it out, you will find that the words moon and month come from the Latin word ‘mensis'.
You will recognize this etymological root in many English words like menses, moon, month, menstrual.
They are all monthly occurrences.
Since ancient times, people looked to the month as a time of renewal.
Just as the moon renews so to speak every month, by first disappearing, and then reappearing in a regular cycle (the lunar cycle, the lunar calendar), so too each month can be considered a time of renewal.
Back in Roman times, the earliest Latin calendar was a 10-month one, beginning with March; thus, September was the seventh month, October, the eighth, etc. July was originally called Quintilis, meaning fifth; and August was originally called Sextilis, meaning sixth.
An Everlasting Honor
In 8 BCE, Augustus Caesar was honored by the Roman Senate yet again.
They changed the name of the sixth month of the year, from Sextillis to August, as an everlasting tribute.
Imagine having a month named in your honor. That is quite an accomplishment.
But, you do not need to wait until the month of August to glean pearls of wisdom from this leader of the Roman empire.
In fact, you can renew yourself every month with just a few of Augustus Caesar's quotes. They are his thoughts on how to become great and magnificent in whatever role you play in your world.
In the old days, commerce ran on daily wages. You expected to get paid your daily wages, whatever job you did.
Today, the world runs by the month.
You pay monthly bills and collect your salary on a monthly basis. And just as you are willing to wait a month to get paid, you can change your expectations for body transformation accordingly.
Go From Fat to Fit in Month(s), Not Days
Stop expecting to lose 20 pounds in a week or even worse, a day.
Forget about deadlines in days or weeks for achieving a complete body transformation.
Instead, start thinking of making progress by the month or several months.
Whether you need to lose 30 pounds or a hundred pounds, the point is the same.
Look to escape the plague of obesity in months, not days.
For example, you can lose 20 pounds in 3 months using 5 simple steps.
Or ditch 3 common habits to take off 75 pounds in 6 months and shock yourself, let alone anyone else who knows you.
Fit Apprentice™ is a system designed to transform your body in months, not days.
With the minimum effort possible.
Augustus Caesar Quotes
Interestingly enough, there are three quotes from Augustus Caesar which are applicable to suggesting some powerful attitudes that you can try on for size an entire month and beyond:
“I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble”
– Augustus Caesar on his deathbed, as mentioned in Cassius Dio 56.30.3.
Out of the poverty of Rome, Augustus built his empire into an opulent manifestation of great wealth and peace. Likewise, you can build yourself into a greater version of yourself.
While you have properties of the earth so to speak, properties of clay, you also have the potential to transform into something more resplendent like marble.
You are the only one who can transform your body.
No one can supervise you all day to make sure you are eating right and training consistently.
But, if you see your own potential like the sculptor sees the clay, you will transform.
The most important thought you must drill into your mind is to never give up.
Even if you are obese, or over 50, hope is not lost.
With only one beginner deadlift workout routine and a beginner 3-month deadlift program, you can dramatically change your body.
And if you add a push-up challenge to the mix, you have a powerful one-two punch to lean out your body.
Watch this video from Pavel where he confirms that you only need the powerful benefits of deadlifts and pushups to train your entire body:
Caesar Augustus Quote Number Two
“Make haste slowly” – Suetonius Div Aug 25
The point here is to be patient.
You are not going to lose thirty pounds, stop smoking, stop complaining or gain 10 pounds of muscle overnight.
You have to be patient, but consistent.
So it is great counsel to make haste slowly, get to where you want to be by being patient.
Augustus Caesar knew how to manage his empire, so well that it lasted for one and a half millennium.
Similarly, you can commit, at least just for three to six months to do the same for yourself own domain, for our own empire so to speak, for what you control, which is essential to rule over yourself.
The Last Words of Augustus Ceasar
According to his son Tiberius and wife Livia, these are the last words of Octavian Augustus Ceasar:
“Have I played the part well? Then clap your hands, and dismiss me with applause from the stage as I exit.”
– Suetonius Div Aug 99 Augustus' dying speech.
This demonstrates an important notion.
Celebrate your victories, no matter how small they might be.
With every set and repetition, every time you are consistent and record your training, acknowledge that you are making progress.
Final Thoughts
Focus on what you have accomplished and not on what you still have to do. At the least, acknowledge whenever you make progress.
Whatever the month of the year it is, learn from August to renew your commitment every month.
Be patient and consistent, and you will absolutely get leaner, get stronger and transform your body and life.
If you are a busy person, you don't have all day to work out.
At the minimum, you need to start walking 30 minutes a day, as recommended by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Once you feel limber and a bit stronger, start a 100 pushups a day challenge at home.
Pushups will sculpt and tone your entire body.
Another great exercise to work your entire body at one time is the deadlift.
Deadlifting alone can dramatically change your body.
Use this beginner deadlift workout program to get started.
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Rich is a Certified Personal Trainer-AAPT, an