Gaius Octavian (Rome character)
| Gaius Octavian | |
|---|---|
.png) |
|
| First appearance | "The Stolen Eagle" |
| Last appearance | "De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)" |
| Portrayed by |
Max Pirkis (episodes 1–14) Simon Woods (episodes 16–22) |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Patrician |
| Family |
Atia of the Julii (mother) Octavia of the Julii (sister) Gaius Julius Caesar (great-uncle, adopted father) Antonia (niece) |
| Spouse(s) | Livia (wife) |
Gaius Octavian is a character in the HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome, played by Max Pirkis as a child in season one and the beginning of season two, and in the rest of the second season he is played by Simon Woods. He is portrayed as a shrewd, if somewhat cold, young man, with an understanding of the world, people, philosophy, and politics that go well beyond his years. Despite this he is very power hungry, unaccomplished and uses the accomplishments of his male relatives in order to further his political career. The basis for this character is the early life of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor.
Born to one of the most powerful families in Rome, the Julii, Octavian is the only son and youngest child of Atia of the Julii. His father died when he was young and was subsequently brought up by his mother and his older sister, Octavia. At the beginning of the series Rome, Octavian is mere adolescent and his mother has him travel across a barren land with only a few slaves to take a white horse (brought to Rome by Timon), as a gift, to his great-uncle. However, along the way his slaves are killed and he is kidnapped by some Gaulish brigands. He is rescued by Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus and with them, they recover the golden eagle from Pompey's men and return it to Octavian's great-uncle, Julius Caesar. Caesar is extremely impressed with the young boy's strength, intelligence and common beliefs about the Plebeians.
Octavian returns to Rome, accompanied by Pullo and Vorenus under the command of Mark Antony, Atia's lover, and is taken home to his mother. He demonstrates a large understanding about the state of Rome and its politics. As the result of the rebellion, the Julii family and their allies prepare to commit suicide. Upon being asked who he would wish to kill him, Octavian states that, "I can take care of myself." Caesar returns to Rome and the Julii family are spared, leaving many of the other nobility to ask them for protection. In the rebellion, and although it would seem that Octavian suspects his mother is involved, he says nothing.
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