On 1 January 42 BC, nearly two years after the
assassination of Julius Caesar on 15 March 44 BC, but before the final
victory of the
Second Triumvirate over the conspirators who had taken his life, the
Roman Senate recognised Caesar as a divinity. He was therefore referred to as Divus Iulius ("the divine Julius"), and his adopted son
Octavian styled himself Divi filius[1][2] ("son of the deified one, son of the god"). The fuller form, divi Iuli filius ("son of the divine Julius"), was also used.[3]
Octavian used the title divi filius to advance his political position, finally overcoming all rivals for power within the Roman state.[4] The title was for him "a useful propaganda tool", and was displayed on the coins that he issued.[5]
Other emperors
Since Augustus[a] himself, some other Roman emperors were deified after death. The title Divi Filius was also applied to some of Augustus' successors, notably
Tiberius,
Nero, and
Domitian.[6]