Founder of the Roman Empire. Augustus never assumed the title of Emperor, preferring to maintain the forms of the Republic that he ended. His long career was uniquely successful, both in winning and using power, and after a bloody beginning he became the embodiment of an enlightened despot, one who seems genuinely concerned with the welfare of the state and its inhabitants and deft in his political touch. He was reputed to have said on his death bed "Acta est fibula" (the play is over) or, alternatively, "Plaudite amici, comedia finita est" (applaud friends, the comedy is over), words that often concluded Roman stage plays.