Summary of Augustus' Powers

Power	Meaning	Year	Allowed Augustus to...
Triumvir	Rule of three (vir = men, trio = three)	43-33 BC	He shared this power with Mark Antony and Lepidus. This "three man commission for restoring the constitution of the republic" (tresviri rei publicae constituendae) in fact was given the power to make or annul laws without approval from either the Senate or the people; their judicial decisions were not subject to appeal, and they named magistrates at will. Essentially, it was the absolute power of a dictator, just divided between three men. However, with Lepidus quickly sidelined and Antony defeated at Actium by the end Augustus held this power all by himself (cough cough - dictator - cough)
Oath of Allegiance	Sworn by the people of Italy and the western provinces	33 BC	Sworn by all citizens (RG 25) which bound them to him for life, gave him the justification to war with Mark Antony at Actium in the following years. It also ensured the loyalty of the people and the army throughout his life
Consulship	Head of the Roman state (two each year)	43, 33, 31-23, 5 and 2 BC	As the chief magistrate in Rome, the Consuls were the chairmen of the Senate, they commanded the Roman armies and could interfere with the decisions of all lower ranking Senators. Only technically the power of the tribune or the people's assemblies could limit their powers, but popular assemblies no longer met and Augustus himself eventually took the power of the tribunes
Proconsul	Governor of a province, a position given to consuls once they have served their term in office	27 BC - 14AD	This gave Augustus the right to govern provinces. In 27 BC Augustus took this power (as it was his right as Consul) but significantly selected provinces with military garrisons to control the army and held a number of provinces rather than the traditional one
Tribunicia Potestas	Tribunician Power (held the powers of a tribune but wasn't one himself)	23 BC	He held this power for life. This not only allowed him to claim his decisions were on behalf of the people (which was traditionally the Tribune's role), but also gave him the following rights: The right to submit legislation to the Senate To summon the Senate To put motions before the Senate The right to veto laws passed by the Senate The right to compel people to obey his orders and impose sanctions The right to extend auxilium, the power to help those being oppressed by other magistrates - under this right Augustus could institute investigations
Maius Imperium	Literally "greater power" - Imperium was a power bestowed on any powerful magistrate (such as consuls) through which they enacted their power)	23 BC	As compensation for laying down his consulships, Augustus was given maius imperium (greater power), which gave him the right to override provincial powers and enter their provinces at will as well as the right to exercise his imperium within the pomerium (the city boundary of Rome, something only the most powerful magistrates could do)
Intendent of corn supply	Arose because of a famine in 22 BC	22 BC	Given charge over the corn supply, essentially making him the benefactor to the urban poor who relied on the grain dole for survival. Eventually, he transferred the responsibility for this to the Equestrians, who held the position as Praefectus Annonae (though Augustus was still the main overseer)
Censor	Censor of the Senate	28 BC and 14 AD	Allowed Augustus to hold a census of the Senate, which means that he could essentially enrol new members into the Senate and expel others - though he is very careful of doing this as he knew that it would breed hostility
Supervisor of laws and morals		19, 18 and 11 BC	This is the power that allowed Augustus to enact his social/moral legislation, as he was entrusted with restoring Roman morality
Pontifex Maximus	High Priest	2 BC	Head of Roman religion - making Augustus central to religious life in Rome (i.e in charge of other priesthoods, sacrifices and religious festivals)

Augutus also had a multitude of honours bestowed upon him, such as;

• 27 BC - 14 AD: Princeps Senatus, or 'leader of the Senate' (RG 7)
• 27 BC: "Princeps" or "First Citizen"
• 27 BC: "Augustus" - "Exalted/Revered One"
• 23 BC: the right of a seat on the Consuls' platform at the front of the Senate house
• 23 BC: the right of speaking first at a Senate Meeting (ius primae relationis)

He also had auctoritas or influence from his wealth, prestige, renown, fame etc, as well as 'amicitia' - patronage of people (i.e the senators, the poets etc)