Ancient History Rome: The Constitutional Settlements: How Augustus created the Empire Part Three

Purpose of the Constitutional Settlement:

To restore popular confidence in the mechanisms of state; the initial success of these measures is indicated in the rise in interest rates, reflecting an increase in liquid capital. The major question remaining, however, pertained to the means of governance in the post-Sulla and post-Caesar era
The answer to the question of government was the Principate, which emerged in two 'settlements' of 27 and 23 BC. Until 27 BC, there was an annual consulship, which Octavian always occupied

The First Settlement, January 27 BC

auctoritas - authority (see Res Gestae 34)
Princeps Senatus - the senior Senator in the Roman Senate
campaigning personally for his choices as magistrates every year
using his amicitia (friendship) as well as the threat of loss of it to keep people cooperative

Round Two:

The second 'settlement' came in 23, Augustus began by relinquishing the annual, repeating consulship, an office that was somewhat offensive to the traditional senatorial aristocracy
More importantly though, the Senate changed the nature of Augustus' imperium. Usually, a proconsul's imperium lapsed when he crossed the Pomerium into the core Roman lands, which were to be directly administered by the Senate. Now, Augustus was allowed to keep his imperium wherever he was
In addition, his imperium was augmented to maius imperium, overriding that of all others in the state. Part of this involved his receipt of tribunicia potestas, the power of a tribune to introduce legislation into the Senate, as well as to veto administrative legislation and certain categories of senatorial actions
Thus, while the form of republican life was restored and guaranteed by Augustus, his individual steering power was indisputable

The Second Settlement, January 27 BC:

Resignation of the consulship (after 23, Augustus only held the office twice, in 5 BC and 2 BC, to preside over the introduction of his adopted sons into public life)
In Rome: the grant of tribunicia potestas (the status and privileges, but not the burdens of the office, of a Tribune of the People). This gave Augustus the right to veto any actions of any magistrate, Senate, or Assemblies that did not suit him
Special grants (to compensate for the powers lost with the renunciation of the annual consulship)

The right of a seat on the Consul's platform at the front of the Senate house
The right of speaking first at a Senate meeting
The right to summon a meeting of the Senate
The cura annonae, care of Rome's grain supply (which bought patronage from the Plebs)

The right to govern his own provinces and armies
The right to interfere in any other governor's province when Augustus deemed it necessary

Ancient History Rome