Was Augustus Caesar Revolutionary

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Was Augustus Caesar A Reformer? Or Was He A Revolutionary? There are many viewpoints that are reflected throughout history that claim Augustus Caesar to be a revolutionary leader. Many of his decisions may be revolutionary in nature. But one can say there is more evidence supporting the fact that he was a reformer. The changes made under Augustus’ leadership was nothing more than him taking the established structures and manipulating them to satisfy the interests of the Roman state and his own need for the acquisition of power. In order to accomplish this he reformed the military, the government and religion. Augustus knew that above all else his power rested on the loyalty and effectiveness of his armies. He knew that the armies …show more content…

He claimed that he had transferred the Republic from his own power to that of the authority of the Senate. Because of this gesture the Senate adored him. They honored him. The people saw him as the restorer of peace and the Republic. When all along his goal was to hide his real power and legalize it. The historian Tacticus wrote, “He took on himself the functions of the Senate, the magistrates, and the laws”. Augustus did not derive his power from his titles or positions. He derived his power from his army’s loyalty and his ability to eliminate rivals. (Page …show more content…

Augustus took advantage of this. He reduced the size of the Senate 1,000 to 600 members. (Page 61) He appointed those who were loyal to him to key positions. He knew how to buy and keep the favor of the people. He set up civil services in Rome. He used the Egyptian model of prefects. The prefect of the grain supply made sure that all roman citizens had a sufficient amount of food. The prefect of the watch helped keep crime under control. Augustus transferred many functions from private bureaucracies to imperial employees. Income flowed directly into the imperial treasury and the people were treated much better than what they were under the Republic. (Page 24) Again Augustus took what was established and reformed it into something that solidified his

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