I thought it was fabulous when Octavian told his bride-to-be that he would beat her, but it would not be because she had done anything wrong, but because
Plus, Octavian had to be something of an enigma. But I do see your point. The kid who played him first did do a good job.
I hate the new actor playing Octavian... he thinks the way to act cold and logical is to simply stare straight ahead while talking.
I tend to doubt that the real Octavian was either of those things or that we would know; but I stand to be proven wrong.
Did you all catch the sex scene with Octavian and Livia on this weekend's Rome (HBO)?