Question

How did Augustus gain power and why was he so successful?

Answer 1

By settling the hash of the second triumvirate and restoring the peace in Rome. He was successful because, first, he was a competent and realistic general, and, second, because he was humble enough to be satisfied during his reign with the fact of powr, and eschew the trappings. He was able to rule without shoving the fact of his rule into people's faces, so they were better willing to tolerate it.

It's not unlike the fact that to be elected President today, when the Presidency of the United States has acquired enormous power, by speaking endlessly about how you are just the servant of the people, a simple man, not a power-hungry or wealthy or egoistical man AT ALL, no sirree bob, just a simple fella' trying to help folks. You can acquire power much better when you allow people to deceive themselves that you don't really want it much.