Final answer:
Octavian's rise to power was initially predicated on the support he received as Julius Caesar's heir but he also demonstrated significant political acumen and military strategy to establish the Roman Empire. While his position was heavily bolstered by Caesar's legacy, his personal actions ensured his long-term rule as Augustus.
Step-by-step explanation:
To understand Octavian’s political and military successes, we must consider the legacy of his adoptive father, Julius Caesar. After Caesar's assassination, Octavian, named as Caesar's heir, was able to garner support from Caesar's veterans, thereby solidifying his initial foothold in Roman politics. The loyalty of Caesar’s legions was instrumental in Octavian forming the Second Triumvirate with Marc Antony and Lepidus, which led to the defeat of Caesar's assassins at the Battle of Philippi. This event significantly contributed to Octavian's rise to power.
Octavian was not without his political savvy; he distanced himself from Antony by aligning with the optimates despite their opposition to Caesar, thus building his own political base. Additionally, Octavian's eventual victory over Antony and the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire with himself as its first Emperor, Augustus, were significantly his own achievements. His efforts in 'restoring' the Republic were in reality a clever veil to a new autocratic regime that maintained a republic in name only, allowing him to avoid the fate of Caesar and secure his position more firmly.
Therefore, while Julius Caesar's influence did lay the groundwork for Octavian's ascension, it is evident that Octavian's own strategic and political maneuvers allowed him to build an empire that far outstripped his adoptive father's achievements in both scale and longevity.