In what ways did the policies and reforms
of Octavian solve
the problems of the late Roman Republic. What problems
left unsolved for
the early empire?
History considers Augustus Caesar as the first emperor of Rome, who
brought the city out of chaos of the civil war to an ordered government.
He reigned over half a
century to the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. He was just
eighteen when his grand uncle and half father Julius Caesar was assassinated
He then grounded the second triumvirate including him, Lepidus and Antony.
After defeating the libertas they become
rivals. After winning against Antony and Cleopatra in the battle
of actium in 31 BC,
he established the basis of the Roman Empire. He was a great
politician, tactician and thinker as well as a great general. we may divide
his innovations in to two groups: reforms up to the Battle
of Actium, and the restoration of the Roman government after the
battle.
After the assassination of Julius Caesar the only heir for his
fortune and political place was Augustus. Augustus used his uncle's
position in a very effective way. The senate was given a major
role during his reign He appreciated this role by attending
the Senate regularly He assume the force of law . He also made
vital contributions to justice. He integrated
traditional approaches with innovations. The old court
presided by praetors for trying serious crimes remained. The popu-
lar participation in the judicial process was thus reduced.
His most important judicial innovation was establishment of two new
courts, one of them consisted of the judicial power of the emperor,
and the other the power of the Senate. In the financial field
a cooperative system between provincial governors and the Senate was established.
Augustus formed a new
group of wealthy equestrians whose predecessors were mostly
prosecuted and their wealth confiscated after the battle of
actium.
Augustus devised a series of land . He first generalized citizenship
all over Italy. He supported the foundation of new
towns (coloniae) to bring unity to territories distant
from Rome. He pensioned his 32 legions and gave them lands from the conquered
areas . He worked on the military system and founded a professional
army to protect the provinces and
Rome itself. The widened system of citizenship helped the empire
to enlarge its borders without too much resistance. Roman citizenship
was a valuable right to own for foreigners and the establishment of colonies
helped romanize the far provinces of the Empire.
Octavian also worked on social order and religious revival. He put laws
to attract people top marriage and child bearing
The child bearing families were granted by the government,
they could seek office one year earlier for each child. He himself
forced to act upon the laws in the case his own wayward daughter, Julia
. She was banished and her adulterer was put to death. Augustus paid
great attention to religious details : temples were restored, priesthood
revived, He took the title " pontifex maximus" (chief priest). To keep
the importance of family life he paid particular attention to the
household deities.
Of course not all the problems of the republic were solved. Urban poverty
continued to grow rapidly. A tiny majority shared the wealth. Employment
was hard because free laborers had difficulties competing against the slaves.
People were living under wooden and brick barracks along the streets. Later
emperors -who were treated as protectors poor -provided free bread and
water for these poor people. They constructed huge public baths -which
are now known to us the Roman Baths-
for the vast poor public. To entertain them emperors built vast
stadiums and arenas. Although, there were some shortcomings
in the reforms of Augustus, a peaceful and prosperous era started
with his rein and lasted for nearly two hundred years.
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