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Augustus

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 22, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 20.

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Augustus.

In Acts 25, Festus twice states that Paul had appealed to Augustus. As Nero was emperor at this time, to whom did he refer? Evidently to the emperor, for Paul said, verse 11, "I appeal unto Cæsar." This was a title applied to Julius, and the Roman Emperors after him. In Luke 2:1 it is said that "there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." It might be inferred from this that Augustus was the emperor's name, but it was not. His real name was Octavianus (see "Barnes' Notes"), and he assumed the title Augustus—august or honorable—in compliment to his own greatness. From this followed the custom of addressing or speaking of the emperors as Augustus, although that was not the proper name of any of them.