Homer
Beloved of both Greeks and Romans, Homer is the great poet of the western civilization. His epics the Iliad and the Odyssey detail the founding of Rome, the relationship between the gods and men, and the Trojan War.
Hesiod
Hesiod is another famous poet from the 8th century. He famously penned Works and Days and the Theogony, both accounts of the gods' activities and of the continued mythic history of Rome.
Julius Caesar
Caesar rose from being a senator all the way to attaining complete control of the newly formed Roman Empire. He leads Rome away from democracy, seeking the glory of the empire instead. He pursues conquest and colonization during his reign. In 44 B.C. Caesar is assassinated.
Octavian
Octavian was adopted by Caesar. He becomes his successor, but his authority is challenged by Mark Antony. He leads a civil war against Antony, eventually succeeding and securing his right to rule. Continuing this feud with Antony, he eventually exiles his rival's wife, Cleopatra, and threatens their children.
Mark Antony
After the death of Caesar, Mark Antony gains control of some of Rome's eastern territories. He recruits the assistance of Cleopatra in Egypt during his conflict with the Parthian Empire. Eventually he falls for her and they have twins together. Antony combats Octavian, his brother, but is unsuccessful. He marries Octavia. After divorcing her, he moves with Cleopatra to Greece, but they cannot withstand Octavian's menacing pursuit. Losing their children to Octavian, both of them commit suicide.
Tiberius
Tiberius is the emperor while Paterculus is writing. He leads numerous successful military conquests and suppresses some internal revolt within the empire. He is praised readily by the author, receiving the final epithets of the book.
