How Did Augustus Lose His Government

Augustan Program to Rejuvenate the Roman State
By the time Augustus took control the state of Rome was virtually his to mold, and mold he did. With years of civil war and its very identity at stake Rome needed someone who would guide them back to what it was meant to be and Augustus was the man with the plan and means to achieve just that. While many would claim Augustus created the climate to rule, his legitimacy and capabilities. When Augustus became the ruler of Rome he instituted changes that reshaped the politics, the religious practices, and the culture that defined Rome. Augustus, ‘his fundamental change of the political system from republican to monarchical. As a means of distinguishing the scarcely concealed monarchy emerging in the …show more content…
Firstly, Augustus restricted the position of Senator to individuals with at least 1,000,000 sesterces in property and the position of equestrian to people with a minimum of 250,000 sesterces so that only a limited number of wealthy individuals could be in a position of influence. When Augustus took power he was given tribunate protestas under the settlements of 27 and 23 which rendered the Tribune of the Plebs moot. To ensure Rome would face less political rebellion Augustus made Spain, Gaul, Syria, and Egypt provinces that only he could control. By the end of his rule Augustus even had the right to summon the senate at his leisure (not that anyone would deal with senators for leisurely purposes). “Although the assemblies continued to exist as legislative and elective bodies, they could no longer claim to represent the will of the Roman people. Augustus proposed laws to them by virtue of his tribunician power. He adopted the practice also of specifying preferences among candidates for office, robbing …show more content…
Augustus set out to establish a heavily propagandized rule. Many statues were erected in honor of the triumphs of Augustus as a military leader and hero to the Roman people and these sculptures were commissioned in traditional Greek and Roman styles and were never to display Augustus as showing any sign of aging. Augustus even wore the title of first citizen, a decision that would instill pride in holding Roman citizenship as the great leader of Rome was a citizen just as they were. Augustus tool great precedence in improving the capital and he commissioned many temples, theaters, triumphal arches, and other public structures. Augustus appointed Maecenas to support young Latin writers such as Virgil and Horace, and poetry and writing also flourished. Due to economic success Rome also saw a rise in luxury goods such as silver vessels and blown glass which the wealthy would purchase. To create a more cultured and wealthy Rome Augustus took many strides in support of the arts and public