What Are The Aims Of Augustus Consolidate His Government

Augustus’ government was predominantly influenced by his relationship and reorganisation of the senate past 23 BC’s settlement. Augustus’ aim was to move the senate and magistrates from being chief organs of the state to being subordinate entities at Augustus’ disposal. Augustus’ relationship with the senate and magistrates was governed through his dominant aim to discretely consolidate his authoritative position. Augustus reorganisations of political roles and magistrates, as shown through his organisation of consuls, questors and praetors. Ultimately, Augustus’ auctoritas over the senate highlighted how tactically Augustus consolidated his position through discretion.

Augustus’ aim was to move the senate and magistrates from being chief

Augustus introduced the systems of consules ordinali (served first 6 months of year) and the consules suffecti (2nd part of year) which both were eligible for future admin posts such as supervision of water and grain, public works and roads. Augustus reorganised the role of the consuls to that after six years of service they were able to become a pronconsul of provinces of Asia or Africa, become a legatus properaetore, to take on responsibility for hearing provincial appeals and receive minor foreign envoys. The ex-consuls became curators of the water supply, highways and public works (and heard appeals from provinces). They are in charge of public duties in Rome and military commands. Due to this Contemporary historian Wells (The Roman Empire) explained that, “it became standard for the consuls of the year to resign halfway,” which reflected on how ex-consulship was desirable to gain posts in public service. Henceforth, Augustus reformed political roles of officials of consuls as highlighted through how he established public roles for

Augustus’ Res Gestae Divi Augusti highlighted that he had significant authority, although he had officially given his powers to his colleague magistrates. This was due to his desire to metamorphose the senate to a puppet structure. This was shown through Augustus’ changes questors who were expected to serve in the provinces (Normally ten questors were chosen.) Roles also included serving as financial officials in senatorial provinces (quaestor pro praetore) whilst other questors held responsibilities in working for the consuls or the princeps. Augustus also made changes involving the requirements to hold quaestorship, which were now only elected by the senate. Furthermore, Livius’ article (2002) stated that, “The emperor Augustus lowered this age to 25 years,” which reflected how Augustus attempted to make the position of Questor more desirable. Further reorganisation of the senate was highlighted through the Praetors. For example, Dio Cassius explained how praetors was a desired position as it afforded them the opportunity to manage public festivals and manage the treasury. This references how praetors powers to preside over law courts, manage the treasury (2 of them), organise games & festivals (given to them 22 BCE on wards), assist the consuls and Augustus and participate in military