During Augustus’ absence in Spain, he and the Senate carried on the functions of government in consultation with one another. When he returned to Rome in 24 BC he decided to continue this arrangement, i.e. with each side taking control of separate functions. This form of government is called a dyarchy and in Rome it was to last for more than three centuries.
Augustus, knowing that the Romans hated monarchy and feared the absolutism of Caesar, resolved to keep intact as much as possible of the republican institutions – the senatorial, equestrian and plebeian orders; the magistrates and the cursus honorum (senatorial career ladder); the Assembly and the Senate – while he collected the necessary authorities to give him autocratic power, receiving it in each instance from the Senate and the people but disguised by republican titles.
In 23 BC 18Licinius Varro Murena was recalled to defend 09Antonius Primus, governor of Macedonia in 24 BC, who was being prosecuted for without orders attacking a friendly nation, the Odrysian kingdom of Thrace, but claiming that Augustus had given his permission. In court Augustus denied issuing the order and Primus was condemned for treason. More seriously, a conspiracy was discovered, led by Fannius Caepio. Murena, apparently upset after a confrontation with Augustus during the trial, was among the conspirators that were condemned in their absence and killed on capture.
Augustus was taken seriously ill and on his return he instituted a Second Settlement. He gave up his regular holding of the consulship – he had held it continuously since 27 BC – and in compensation was given the right to nominate magistrates and make recommendations to the Senate. The Senate lost its authority over some provinces while retaining control in others. Augustus took charge of the armies in the imperial provinces located in the outer regions of the Empire defending the borders; while the senatorial provinces on the inner regions, having been subdued and therefore requiring fewer troops, became the responsibility of the Senate
Augustus’ proconsular imperium in the imperial provinces – principally Spain, Gaul, Syria and Egypt – was renewed for a five-year period and continued to be renewed for five- or ten- year periods for the rest of his life. He was granted imperium proconsular maius (superior), which gave him unlimited control of the army in all the provinces. As this applied only in the provinces and not in Italy, he was also granted the imperium of a consul without actually holding the position.
More importantly, he was granted tribunal power for life, which gave him the right to legislate in the Assembly, summon the Senate, veto proposals and help those oppressed by the magistrates. It was this authority that Augustus emphasised as the legal basis of his power, but it was the power of the military behind his opinion that won him the cooperation of the Senate while keeping its prestige. In time the merest ‘suggestion’ by him would suffice for something to be done.His influence, direct and indirect, was now felt in every area of Roman political and social life. From his official title of Imperator we speak of him as an emperor, but he always referred to himself as princeps (first citizen). This kind of dyarchy in which autocratic rule is masked under some features of republican rule is referred to as a Principate since it was the princeps that gave it its particular character.
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