Final answer:
Octavius, later Augustus, claimed to be restoring the Republic while he was actually laying the groundwork for the Principate, consolidating power under the guise of traditional Republican titles to create the Roman Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Restoration of the Roman Republic
Octavius, known as Augustus after 27 BCE, claimed to be restoring the Republic. Despite assuming the titles and powers traditionally associated with the Roman Republic, he essentially established the foundations for the Roman Empire. While he did not style himself as 'dictator', he wielded significant authority by positioning himself as the 'Princeps Civitatus' or 'first citizen', maintaining a strategic appearance that the Republic was still functioning with the Senate and Consuls operating under his influence. Augustus preserved peace and stability while also laying the groundwork for a system of government that would centralize power under the Emperor, a system that was later known as the Principate.