The Augustan Principate essays

The Augustan Principate essays A Period of confusion, unrest, civil strife and violence of all kinds had finally culminated in the emergence of one man as the supreme arbiter of the destinies of the roman world. Octavian was that man. During his triumph in 29B.C, Octavian (later to become Augustus) had returned to Rome a hero after having organized the East. Octavian had held the consulship in 31B.C up until 23B.C. The Augustan principate was the name given to the reformations Augustus had brought to the Republic. These values were in essence applicable to the format of the Empire was run for the next 200 years. What Augustus done most successfully was recognize that he needed to rectify the mistakes that his predecessors had made as well implementing some of their more successful ideas into his plans. The Augustan principate was laid down for the first time in 27 B.C, however Augustus himself rectified it furthermore in 23 B.C and in 18B.C. The individual success of Augustus is plain to see as he survived at the heart of the Empire until his death at an old age. In several ways the reforms under Augustus had directly links to the past, such as the involvement of Augustus with the arts at the time and the emphasis he placed on upholding roman morals. He also held pro-consular power, which had been seen in the past. Although there were links to the past the emphasis of the Augustan principate was the new format that Augustus introduced. The 19th century historian Mommsen argued that the division of provincial responsibility between the Emperor and senate was legitamate; he termed the situation as a diarchy. This was one of the new situations created by the Augustan principate. One thing which was relatively new to Romans was the peace and stability enjoyed under the rule of Augustus. The main emphasis of the reforms were to tie the Emperor closer to the military, how did Augustus do this? He gave new powers to new constitutional positions and gave prece...