Augustus, or any other emperor, would require a census for several reasons. A head count and an estimation of the wealth of the people would give an idea of the amount of taxes that could be collected. The military was also involved in that the census would determine how many, if any, new troops were required in a territory for defense or policing. Army recruitment was also involved, as a province with a large number of able bodied males would have a larger share to contribute to the army.
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As Augustus, he didn't order a separate census, as it was customary for a census or at least a partial census to be taken every five years. However as Octavian, before he gained supreme power, he ordered a census to determine if the Roman people were willing to swear loyalty to him in his war against Antony and Cleopatra. If you are thinking about the census that was referred to in the New Testament, that one was ordered in the name of Caesar Augustus, by the governor of Syria who had "imperium". Imperium meant that whoever held it had the same authority as Caesar in his province.
Augustus could order a census for various reasons. He ordered the first census (as Octavian) in order to get the people to back his war effort. Other times they were for voting counts and to determine the amount of taxes a province could be expected to pay and the number of troops that could be raised in an area.
Augustus/Octavian ordered a census of Italy in order to have the population swear allegiance to him and his plans for a war against Antony and Cleopatra.
He more than likely did order a census. In republican Rome a census was taken every five years, or at least it was supposed to be taken. Augustus continued the traditions of the republic as far as possible. If you are referring to the census mentioned in the New Testament, that was not ordered by Augustus himself, but by the governor of Syria, who had imperium, on behalf of the Jewish priests. An official with imperium acted in the name of the emperor--his orders were the same as being issued by the emperor himself.
The empires in chronological order are Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and German.
First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.First of all, remember that the Roman empire did not start with Augustus. Rome had an empire for hundreds of years before the "empire" that is mistakenly thought to have been founded by Augustus. During the early empire the form of government of the Romans was the republic, while in the later empire the form of government was the principate. During the early empire citizens were more concerned with government and the good of the state as they had voting rights. During the later part of the empire citizens seemed to be more concerned with personal gain as opposed to the well-being of the state.
You have to be more specific as to what you mean by the "Byzantine Empire". If you are asking about the eastern part of the Roman empire, which historians have dubbed "Byzantine" (after the city of Byzantium), be aware that there was no such thing. It was the Roman empire-- period. Historians used the term Byzantine when they were referring to the eastern parts of the Roman empire in order to differentiate between the two areas of the empire.
expanding the empire and extending trade routes to India and China. Also restoring peace and order to Rome.