Augustus
Augustus Res Gestae
Increased patricians, revised roll senate 3x.
28-7BC: 6th & 7th consul, after civil wars, master, transferred republic SPQR: Au,
laurel, civic crown, shield (courage, clemency, justice, piety); above auc, equal pot.
2BC: Pater patriae.
Tacitus Annals
Lep + Ant with Au against Pom+cra, princeps, ruled whole state. Not triumvir –
consul, trib power. Gifts – army; corn – people; peace: increased power, no
opposition (war & proscription).
Magistrates trad titles, most no memory republic, revolution complete, Au kept safe.
Cassius Dio Maecenas advice
No tyranny: pass laws with counsel & no opposition; plan wars’ choose officials;
choose honours & punishments. Law not debate, no rivalries or factions.
No old powers; retain honours, reduce influence so no revolution. No posts abroad,
no officials command army.
Prefect from leading citizens with experience; govern city (radius 100 miles) all time.
Ex-praetors provinces; others few terms beneath in provinces -> consul -> governor.
Salaries for provincials, 3-5 year terms (too little: inexperience, too much: rebel).
Method government
Oc’s leadership confirmed SPQR: senatorial provinces (peace), imperial (stronger,
insecure, dangerous, rebellious) → senators unarmed for war. Senatorial governed
annually by lot – proconsul (ex-consuls, and ex-praetors). Imperial provinces –
appointed by Oc, pro-praetors (even if ex-consuls).
Proconsuls transferred appointed by Oc after bad governance – list of candidates,
lots from that.
Governors instructed by Oc, & given salaries.
Some laws put before assembly in case unpopular, encouraged suggestions,
allowed freedom of speech, some amendments. Council: consul, one from each
office, fifteen from lot in Senate. All legislation put forward by Oc put through council
then senate: less important matters before senate fully; council helped with some
cases. Senate made own judgements still, conducted some negotiations. Elections
Augustus Res Gestae
Increased patricians, revised roll senate 3x.
28-7BC: 6th & 7th consul, after civil wars, master, transferred republic SPQR: Au,
laurel, civic crown, shield (courage, clemency, justice, piety); above auc, equal pot.
2BC: Pater patriae.
Tacitus Annals
Lep + Ant with Au against Pom+cra, princeps, ruled whole state. Not triumvir –
consul, trib power. Gifts – army; corn – people; peace: increased power, no
opposition (war & proscription).
Magistrates trad titles, most no memory republic, revolution complete, Au kept safe.
Cassius Dio Maecenas advice
No tyranny: pass laws with counsel & no opposition; plan wars’ choose officials;
choose honours & punishments. Law not debate, no rivalries or factions.
No old powers; retain honours, reduce influence so no revolution. No posts abroad,
no officials command army.
Prefect from leading citizens with experience; govern city (radius 100 miles) all time.
Ex-praetors provinces; others few terms beneath in provinces -> consul -> governor.
Salaries for provincials, 3-5 year terms (too little: inexperience, too much: rebel).
Method government
Oc’s leadership confirmed SPQR: senatorial provinces (peace), imperial (stronger,
insecure, dangerous, rebellious) → senators unarmed for war. Senatorial governed
annually by lot – proconsul (ex-consuls, and ex-praetors). Imperial provinces –
appointed by Oc, pro-praetors (even if ex-consuls).
Proconsuls transferred appointed by Oc after bad governance – list of candidates,
lots from that.
Governors instructed by Oc, & given salaries.
Some laws put before assembly in case unpopular, encouraged suggestions,
allowed freedom of speech, some amendments. Council: consul, one from each
office, fifteen from lot in Senate. All legislation put forward by Oc put through council
then senate: less important matters before senate fully; council helped with some
cases. Senate made own judgements still, conducted some negotiations. Elections
