Administration of Roman Empire During Augustus' Reign

In 27 BCE, Octavian appointed himself as the first Roman Emperor. After being a republic for approximately 700 years, Rome was now an empire. The Roman Empire grew to be one of the greatest empires in history, conquering the majority of Europe, the Asia Minor, and much of North Africa. Rome went through a time of peace called Pax Roma. During Pax Roma many contributions were made such as arts and architecture. The Roman Empire declined because of its weakened military. The military began to weaken due to laziness, the land was easy to invade, and there we many different leaders throughout the empire.

Borders were patrolled by legions so the city was free of invasion. Augustus organized 150,000 to be border security. The large number of

Augustus and his successors built a system of imperial government to administer the empire’s vast territories and link them to the capital. This system, which allowed the provinces some measure of independence while being subject to Roman taxation and military control—functions crucial for the maintenance of the empire—proved quite efficient. Augustus settled former soldiers in the provinces, thus spreading Roman political and cultural influence and securing his power in distant lands. In addition the Senate was okay with their emperor spreading his influence in the second century AD at least half of the Senate members were non-romans.The period of peace and prosperity inaugurated by Augustus persisted until the end of the second century, the

(Source 1). "The benefits of life under Augustus were too great to throw away lightly". Octavian kept the people and the Senate happy, they weren't inclined to rebel and Rome was its turmoil, allowing it to flourish and grow to be an empire remembered forever. This peace was made possible by Octavian who became a devoted leader but also listened and controlled the senate very carefully, which his predecessor, Julius Caesar, failed to do. He understood the treatment of the senate would allow the people to adore him because in their hearts it reminded them of the former

Rome was a very large and powerful city by the first BC but the reign of Augustus transformed it into an imperial city. In 31 BCE, Augustus became the supreme commander of the Roman Republic. During the Augustan Revolution, art and architecture pushed a political agenda. Art portraying Augustus remains common throughout his reign. The art and architecture helped reinforce Augustus’ political message that he was the restorer of Rome.

The Roman Empire transitioned from a republic to an empire in 31 BCE. Augustus Caesar was the first emperor. He created harmony in Rome, but not in calendars as he added August as the eighth month to follow July, which was named after Julius Caesar. Apparently, being the first emperor of the powerful Roman Empire was not enough. Many things were not enough for the Romans. It was their strive for power and land that they were able to build up their legendary empire, but it would also be one of their greatest downfalls.

During the reign of Augustus in 27 BC, progressive political ideologies were instituted that allowed the Roman Empire to last for centuries.  Augustus’s period of power was known as the “Pax Romana” and it was a time of peace and expansion into Egypt, Dalmatia, Pannonia, Noricum, Raetia, Africa, Germania and Hispania. Augustus strengthened the political organization of Rome through law and tax reform, protected borders and initiated building projects such as the Colosseum (Emmons, “Roman Empire”).  Additionally, Augustus created networks of roads, police, fire, and courier systems, and a standing army.  The relative freedom from conflict for such a lengthy period of time allowed Rome to prosper culturally, economically, and architecturally.

Have you ever waged war against your wife? Caesar Octavian Augustus did. Augustus was a great leader. Leaders are necessary because they need to show leadership amongst the people and unite the people as one doing anything to keep them safe. Caesar Octavian Augustus was one of Rome’s greatest leaders by showing that at the age of 19, he can rule one of the most powerful nations by any means including war (http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/augustus.html)

After his granduncle, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by a group that did not want Caesar to be an absolute ruler, Octavian (63 B.C.E. - 14 C.E.) and two others defeated that group; however, their alliance felt apart. In 31 B.C.E., Octavian successfully took over the other two to gain control of Rome, ending the civil war. As the ruler of Rome, he took the name of Augustus which means "one that is blessed by the god in rulership over Rome" (Cohen) and adjusted Rome's political system by turning Rome from a Republic to an Empire. So to what extent did the Roman Empire transform after the civil war in 31 B.C.E.? According to Augustus: Res Gestae which was written by Augustus himself, Rome's transformation is portrayed by his accomplishments that

Emperor Augustus was the most influential emperor in the history of the Roman Empire. He was also the first emperor of the Roman Empire. His real name was Octavian, but he was given the name Augustus when he took over as emperor. From early on in his life, he was an established leader. He began wearing a toga at just age sixteen, which is the Roman sign of manhood. He began to take on the responsibilities associated with his family’s connections. His uncle was Julius Caesar, who was leader of Rome before he became emperor. Octavian fought along his uncle in battle. From early on in his life, Octavian had the qualities of an impressive leader, and he showed these qualities later in his life.

Julius Caesar's reign was an unfavorable and chaotic period for Rome, and after his death, a large portion of the empire was handed down to his adopted son, Gaius Octavian. From the ashes of his father, Octavian was able to build an Empire unparalleled. Later, the name Augustus was given to him by Senate. Augustus ostensibly maintained the form of the Roman Republic while in actuality creating the Roman Empire. He introduced the administrative reforms that led to the Pax Romana with its flourishing of trade and the arts. Although Augustus's ascension to power could have not been without it bequested by Julius, it was his use of art and propaganda that reinforced the legitimacy his position.

     Two problems facing the late Roman Empire was the instability and non unification caused by inner family civil wars. Rome's rapid expansion, after the Punic Wars, resulted in changes that permanently divided the state. Both Aristocrats and Plebeians wanted total control of Rome and tried to destroy each other. Civil war was the the only way to solve problems in politics. Consequently, the power of the military became strong. Control of Rome's armies changed from the government to the generals because the soldiers began to listen to their generals rather than to the Government. On dismissal from military service, the soldiers had no farms to return to, and they

Augustus Caesar was a strong and noble emperor who deserved the title of “The Best Emperor of the Roman Empire”. Augustus was arguably the single most important figure in Ancient Roman history. In the course of his long and spectacular career, he put an end to the advancing decay of the Republic and established a new basis for Roman government that was to stand for two centuries. This essay will discuss how Augustus came into power and how he turned his empire from a civil war into an empire of peace and prosperity which reined for over 200 years. It will also discuss some of his failings and shortcomings that almost put an end to his rule.

In this section I will be analysing how Octavian/Augustus rose to become the first Emperor of Rome and his reign thereafter. I will also be looking at how he gained his position and what being and

Gaius Octavius, better known to historians as Augustus, succeeded his great uncle Julius Caesar following his assassination. In his wake, Augustus would become the first Emperor of the newly formed Roman Empire and bring massive, sweeping revisions to Roman law as well as centralize the government, military and economic currency of the Empire. He also reemphasized the importance of art, music and literature in Roman culture, bringing about a new era of historically important artists, poets, sculptors, scribes and philosophers. While the beginnings