Caesar Augustus
According to Suetonius, Augustus, when assessing his rule, said: “I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble”.
(https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/curiosities/i-found-rome-a-city-of-bricks-and-left-it-a-city-of-marble/)
The Roman Republic created the Roman Empire and Caesar Augustus in its fall. This first emperor was a brilliant administrator and planner. He brought peace and security. He created a great propaganda machine, including Virgil with his Aeneid and Eclogues which praised the coming of Caesar Augustus, helping him be viewed as a sort of Messiah.
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)
Princeps, the first citizen
Caesar Augustus was a king, and his senate merely felt as part of the government. He sent a message to the Roman world by calling himself Princeps (first citizen, root of our word prince). It's an old Roman Republican term - someone old and revered would be called a first citizen, a point of honor he brought upon himself. From the rule of Caesar Augustus to Emperor Diocletian is called the Principate, the era of the rule of the emperors of the first citizens. The Priene Calendar Inscription describes him as having brought peace after 100 years of civil war by ending the Roman Republic, the savior, the son of God, and the one who brings the gospel or good news.
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)
Pontifex Maximus, overseer of religion
Caesar took on an old title "Pontifex Maximus" (Chief High Priest). This is an old Roman Republican office, one that oversees all the religious activities of the empire. All Roman emperors through Gratian in the 380s will be called Pontifex Maximus, including Constantine.
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)
Genius of the Emperor
There is the Priene Calendar Inscription, an important inscription that was found in the city of Priene in western Asia Minor (western Turkey today) that gives us an understanding of how Augustus was seen. It was established on his birthday - "Since providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit mankind, sending him as a savior, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things. And since he, Caesar, by his appearance excelled even our anticipations, surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good tidings for the world that came by reason of him." (Good tidings = gospel) He had brought peace after 100 years of civil war, ending the Roman Republic. Augustus was called savior, the son of God, the one who brings good news.
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)
Layers of Imperial Rule
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)