Caesar, the dictator of ancient Rome, was assassinated in the Senate in 44 BC, an event that marked the end of the Roman republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.
However, the question of Caesar's estate and heirs quickly became a point of contention, and for Octavian, the leader of the republican party at the time, became an intractable issue.
Before his death, Caesar granted his heirship rights to his nephew, his grandson, Augustus.
This decision was very controversial because it was not in the interests of the Republican faction, who did not want to see Caesar's inheritance in the hands of someone who seemed to be their enemy.
On the contrary, Octavian, as the leader of the Republican Party, believed that Caesar's inheritance rights should belong to the Republican Party, not to separate individuals or families.
This strife and division eventually led to the collapse of the republican system and the establishment of the Roman Empire. Octavian, as a proponent of the republican system, saw the new order as not beneficial to the future of Rome.
If Caesar had a legitimate heir, they might have taken over political and practical power, which meant that Octavian's situation would have changed significantly.
If Augustus had not been Caesar's heir, Octavian would likely have become the leader of the new republican empire and would have allowed the republic to remain in rule for a long time.
Because the republicans had a more enduring and imaginative vision of the future and stability of the Roman state, they believed that a republican system could bring long-term success to Rome.
The existence of a legitimate heir could have led to a change in Octavian's political fortunes, and the understanding of Rome's political and cultural development by the left and right of the Roman Senate of Cassius, Brutus, and others would have a greater impact.
So far, historians and researchers have interpreted the history of ancient Rome in a variety of ways.
On the one hand, there is the view that the Roman republican system itself had some political and social flaws and ills that the republicans could not solve. Therefore, whether Caesar had an heir or not, the collapse of the Roman republic seemed inevitable.
Returning to the fate of Caesar and Octavian, we see the contradictions between the evolution of the republican system and the imperial system by Roman historians.
In any case, Caesar's death marked the end of the Roman republican system, and it was disheartening news for Octavian and supporters of the Republican faction.
By all indications, even if there were a legitimate heir, Octavian's situation would not change significantly.
First, even if there were legitimate heirs, such as Augustus, Caesar's dictatorship and the power and supporters that Caesar had accumulated, he still existed.
This allowed Caesar's heirs to use these resources to consolidate their position and compete with other political factions.
Octavian, as the leader of the Republican Party, had some supporters, but he was still relatively weak politically. Thus, even with a legitimate heir, Octavian still faced rivalry and opposition from Caesar's faction.
Second, Octavian, as a staunch supporter of the republican system, represented a political philosophy that was fundamentally different from the imperial ideology represented by Caesar's heirs.
Even if there was a legitimate heir, Octavian would still be determined to uphold the republican system and try to overthrow the imperial rule. The contradictions and antagonism between Octavian and Caesar's heirs are likely to persist, leading to political and social upheaval within Rome.
In addition, even if there were legal heirs, there was no guarantee that Caesar's inheritance would be widely recognized and supported.
Roman politics was a world of intrigue and strife, with complex relationships between various factions and interest groups.
Other political factions and individuals may use this opportunity to compete for power rather than submit to Caesar's succession. In this uncertain political environment, Octavian still had to face challenges and struggles from other rivals.
To sum up, even if Caesar had a legitimate heir, such as Augustus, Octavian's situation would not have changed significantly.
Caesar's heirs will still face challenges and antagonisms from Caesar's faction, and Octavian, as the leader of the republican faction, will remain a staunch supporter of the republican system and confront the imperial forces.
At the same time, the presence of other political factions and interest groups may also undermine the legitimacy and influence of Caesar's succession. Thus, with or without a legitimate heir, the collapse of the Roman republic and the rise of the empire seemed inevitable.