Summary of the Principate

More and More and More Power
In 22, flood and famine swept through Rome. The populace boisterously demanded that Augustus be made a permanent consul or else a dictator as well as censor and that he take control of the grain supply. Augustus refused all of the offices, but was easily able to relieve the famine with all of his resources. He was then given the consular right to summon the Senate as well as the tribunician. He then left for his provinces in order to take care of business and left the Senate in charge. In 22, 21, 20, and then 19, the populace refused to elect a second consul, demanding that Augustus take the position. He refused, but they elected the candidate that he chose for them. Finally in 19, the Senate passed a decree begging him to return and restore order in Rome.

His return in 19 was declared a national holiday and he was given further powers, most of which just demonstrated his position as perpetual third consul. The nobles could still hold the other two consulships, and the populace would see their savior taking care of them and acting like a consul. It was the last major change that was made, except for in 15 when Augustus was given the sole right to coin gold and silver, and in 12 when Lepidus finally died and he was made pontifex maximus. Finally, in 2 BCE he was named papter patriae, father of his country. Cicero had been the last to hold that title.

Summary of the Principate
Augustus succeeded in creating in the Principate a form of government that would bring stability and calm to Rome for over 200 years. Augustus tried to convince the people that the Republic had been restored, as it had superficially. The same offices remained that had always existed, but it was the combination of powers that Augustus held that no one else had ever held before that made it more of a monarchy. Augustus was always respectful of the Senate and asked its cooperation, but there is no denying that he was the dominant political force and everyone looked to him for guidance. In the beginning, however, it was more like a constitutional monarchy. The powers of the princeps had to be voted to him over time with every new emperor, and the Senate still had enough power to condemn an emperor to death, as it did Nero.

Summary of the Principate Octavian Comes Home Establishing the Empire Trouble in Paradise Succession

Summary of the Principate