 When Octavian returned to Rome two years after defeating Mark Antony , no one remained to oppose him . Decades of war had taken a terrible toll on the People of Rome . The political situation was unstable , and there was a constant threat of renewed warfare . Octavian 's arrival alone caused a wave of optimism to ripple throughout Italy . As soon as he arrived , he began addressing the problems that were plaguing Rome . Octavian 's popularity soon reached new heights , which ultimately gave him the support he needed to implement his reforms . When Octavian deposed Mark Antony in 32 BC , he resigned his position as triumvir , but was probably vested with powers similar to those that he had given up . 
