Born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, the young future-emperor was adopted by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, after demonstrating promising wit and skill. After his great-uncle's assassination, Augustus (at this time known as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus) took vengeance upon Caesar's murderers, and through tactical political moves, became one of Rome's three “Triumvirs" alongside Marc Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. After defeating the other two triumvirs, and obtaining sole power over the Roman State, Augustus (known as "Imperator" Caesar Divi Filius), began taking measures to secure and increase his power. As a result, Augustus gave orders to exterminate Cleopatra's teenage son, allegedly commenting that, "too many Caesars is no good thing." (As it was the common belief that her son was of