Octavian's apparent modesty and moral strictness contrasted strongly with Antony's life as an oriental monarch at the lavish Egytian court. Rome's sympathies therefore clearly lay with Octavian. By 32 BC the agreement made at Tarentum (an extension of the Treaty of Brundisium by four years) strictly speaking had run its course and the Triumvirate ceased to be. Octavian tried to maintain the charade that he really wasn't exercising any powers. When Antony divorced Octavia, Octavian lashed out by reading out in public Antony's will, which had quite illegally come into his possession.
This will promised not only large inheritances to his children by Cleopatra, but it also demanded that, should he die in Italy, his body should be returned to Cleopatra in Egypt. Antony's will was the final straw. For in all Rome's eyes, this could never be the will of a true Roman. The senate declared war. At Actium on the west coast of Greece on 2 September 31 BC the fateful battle took place. Once again it was Agrippa who commanded the forces on behalf of his friend Octavian.
Both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. The vast treasures of Egypt fell to Octavian, and Egypt itself became a new Roman province. Octavian's next, highly questionable act was to put to death Cleopatra's son Caesarion. Caesarion in fact was the child of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Octavian being the adoptive son of Caesar, he in essence ordered the death of his step-brother. Victory of Actium had given Octavian the undivided mastery of the Roman world. But this position had once been held before by Julius Caesar. Octavian was not one to forget what fate had befallen Caesar. In order to prevent a similar demise, he needed to create a new constitution. Hence on January 27 BC Octavian in the so-called 'First Settlement' went through a strangely orchestrated ceremony in which he 'surrendered' all his power to the senate - thus restoring the Republic. It was a purely symbolical sacrifice as he receiving most of the very same power right back again.
The entire effort were meticulously planned and overseen by his supporters and associates. Octavian received into his personal control, for ten years, the vitally important provinces of Egypt, Cyprus, Spain, Gaul and Syria. Also he was contually re-elected as consul from 31 to 23 BC.


Further he now received the name 'Augustus', a slightly archaic term, meaning 'sacred' or 'revered'. Augustus apparently preferred the term 'princeps' (first citizen) which he had been granted, though he also kept the title imperator to point out his position as military chief of staff.