POINT EVIDENCE QUOTE

THESIS: A factor of fundamental importance to the Augustan

Age revolved around the relationship which
Augustus shared with the Senate.
Augustus understood and respected the traditions of
the Senate and although he had every intention of
monopolising power, he was eager to share the
burden and responsibility of governing such a vast
empire. Augustus thus used his auctoritas as Maius
imperium and tribunicia potestas to sculpt a
beneficial relationship between himself and the
Senate, which involved the restoration of the
Senate’s dignity and also Augustus working directly
with the Senate to help secure a lucrative and
flourishing Principate.
1. APPEARANCE  Augustus had monopolised power in the Roman
OF DYARCHY Empire, however, he wished to avoid seeming
like a tyrant, thus promoted the image of a
dyarchy between himself and the Senate.

TITLES/HONOURS/POWERS:
 The settlements of 27 and 23 BC left Augustus
with the ultimate sanction and power in the “gradually pushed
Roman state--- the army. ahead and absorbed
 Proconsular Imperium--- maintained control of the functions of the
the legions in Gaul, Spain and Syria which Senate,”
enabled him with unchallengeable military “Political equality
power. was a thing of the
 Maius Imperium = ensured his word could never past; all eyes
realistically be challenged. watched for imperial
APPEAREANCE OF DYARCHY: commands.”
 Tacitus = Augustus, “gradually pushed ahead and Tacitus
absorbed the functions of the Senate,” ---
“Political equality was a thing of the past; all eyes
watched for imperial commands.”
 Astute when dealing with the Senate--- aware of
the animosity which had developed between the
Senate and Julius Caesar--- his cavalier &
contemptuous attitude towards the Senate had “I transferred the
caused enormous resentment and culminated state from my own
into his assassination. power to the control
 Augustus was thus careful when approaching the of the Roman
senate and refrained from dealing with them in a Senate and people.”
condescending or demeaning matter… this led to Res Gestae
his assertion, — “I transferred the state from my
own power to the control of the Roman Senate
and people.”

 EVALUATION: As a conservative figure, whom

harboured a deep respect and affection for the
traditions of Rome, Augustus saw the potential
in “displaying” that he shared powers with the
Senate.
 Politically, it allowed Augustus to avoid being
labelled as a tyrant, whilst also benefiting him
with the propagation of, “traditional values,”