And yet its first emperor, Augustus, was an unlikely successor to that of his great uncle, Julius Caesar. Born Gaius Octavius and commonly known as Octavian, the 18-year-old inherited Caesar's wealth and name but possessed little else in competing with the Roman Senate and Mark Antony for control of the Republic.

His subsequent discovery shocked the Roman aristocracy, and rumors swirled about Pompeia's fidelity. Caesar felt that he had no choice but to divorce Pompeia, not because he personally believed the rumors, but because the wife of the Pontifex Maximus had to be above suspicion. Caesar then married Calpurnia.

Historically, Cornelia is often stated to have died in childbirth, but this is not confirmed.

Both Brutus and Cassius eventually would take their own lives, Cassius with the very dagger that he had used in the assassination. Although Caesar had spared them, they did not spare Caesar.