The answer is: Augustus

Luke 2:1 - originally named Caius Octavius Caepias, born in 63 BC, the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar.

Augustus Caesar, the mastermind behind the census that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, was originally known as Caius Octavius. Imagine the power vacuum he moved into after Julius Caesar’s assassination! By establishing the census, Augustus not only aimed to assess his empire's resources but also reinforced his influence, as this was his first step in consolidating control over a vast territory.

Fun fact: Augustus wasn’t a build-it-on-an-empire kind of guy. Instead, he promoted the idea of returning Rome to its former, grander glory under a peaceful facade—a time branded as the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. Interestingly, Augustus is sometimes portrayed in literature and history as an enlightened ruler who entertained notions of governance. This narrative shouldn’t overshadow the tensions surrounding his reign, most notably arising from the political and social order put in place through force.

He remained emperor for over four decades, ushering in an era where artistic expression flourished! His rules allowed literature, arts, and philosophy to thrive, giving us great works from figures like Virgil and Horace, indirectly bringing forth a thriving cultural environment when Jesus’s story emerged.

Also, get this: the timing of Jesus’s birth triggers a fascinating legacy of highlighting divine intervention in human history. Augustus decreing a census led to "the human element" in the divine plan—a critical narrative echo often seen in Biblical texts—allowing generations to gain insight into a significant fulfillment of prophecies surrounding the birth of a savior. Quite the expansive picture, eh?