The city of Priene in western Asia Minor (modern-day western Turkey)
Priene Calendar Inscription
An important inscription 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 is literally 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.
Think of the contrast with Jesus, the incarnate God, with this powerful king Augustus who ruled Judea through his governor in Syria, Quirinius, and Herod the Great, the local king of the Jews. The true king of the universe was a baby in a manger.
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)