How did Octavian gain support from Julius Caesar’s former followers?

Octavian gained the support of Julius Caesar’s former followers through a combination of political maneuvering, strategic use of his status as Caesar’s heir, and the cultivation of public loyalty.

Key methods included:

• Leveraging his Inheritance: As Caesar’s adopted son and heir, Octavian used his own resources to pay the bequests Caesar had promised to the Roman populace, which helped establish his legitimacy and popularity.1
• Publicity and Propaganda: Octavian celebrated public games in honor of Caesar to ingratiate himself with the city’s population. He also promoted his status as "Caesar Son of a God" after Julius Caesar was officially recognized as a god of the Roman state in 42 BCE, which significantly enhanced his prestige.12
• Military Allegiance: By positioning himself as a defender of the Caesarian cause, Octavian successfully won over many of the late dictator’s troops to his own allegiance.1
• Political Alliances: He formed the Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, both prominent Caesarian leaders, which allowed him to consolidate power and eliminate the conspirators who had assassinated Caesar.341