The Principate in Ancient Rome is what?

The Principate in Ancient Rome is a special period in the history of his early empire, which lasted from the 1st century BC. E. Before the 3rd century AD. E. The power of the ruler in this era combined the features of the monarchy and the republic. The head of state was called princeps, that is, the first among equals. Thus, the democratic nature of his power was emphasized. He was also considered a people's tribune, thus combining several functions and powers in his person.

Getting Started

The Principate in Ancient Rome is a special form of government, the foundations of which were laid by Julius Caesar. However, the final creation of this state system dates back to the time of the reign of his successor, Octavian Augustus. In the 1st century BC. E. Republican institutions have ceased to meet the needs of a greatly increased power. While there was a city-policy, the authorities of the people could effectively exercise control and management, however, when the empire began to be formed, these institutions no longer coped with their tasks. The Principate in Ancient Rome is a transitional period between a republic and an autocratic monarchy. The fact is that Caesar did not dare immediately liquidate the old republican institutions and created a replacement for them in the form of a management system that retained the features of the old administration, but at the same time helped to strengthen the authority of the sole ruler.

Features of the Republic

With the new system, the features of the old regime are preserved. For example, people's congresses were still convened. Under this concept, science identifies the convergence of all adult citizens to solve the most important political issues. In the era of the old republic, several kinds of such gatherings gathered in the city: censored, aristocratic and universal, without any restrictions. The Principate in Ancient Rome is the stage that this important institution retained, but in this period they lost their significance. Moreover, they observed corruption, bribery and even violence against members of the councils.

Senate status

This important management body also survived, but from now on its powers were limited. The function of its members was limited to approving the laws that came from the head of state. Thus, Ancient Rome looked quite different. The Principate period almost completely changed its political appearance, despite the apparent preservation of the old order. Now the senate was just a collection of representatives of ancient patrician families led by the emperor himself, who was called the first among them. Under Diocletian, this governing body was turned into a city council, and under Constantine a second senate was created in the new capital, which was equated with the old one. Thus, one of the most important symbols of the old republic finally lost its leading importance.

Reforms of Augustus

The state system of the principate in ancient Rome began to change at the turn of the century BC. E. - 1st century AD E. It was at this ruler that the senate turned from a legislative organ to a legislative institution. The fact is that the new emperor in every possible way showed his commitment to the old regime in order to preserve his influence among the people and strengthen his status. The right of legislative initiative remained for magistrates. The Senate retained judicial functions, although in fact all the main power in this area was retained by the emperor. Thus, gradually from the republic into an empire turned Ancient Rome. The early empire (the principat was its first stage) still retained the appearance of the old democratic order.

New body

The ruler himself actually disposed of all spheres of government, although in every possible way emphasized the preservation of the significance of the senate. However, the fact that this management body has lost its significance is evidenced by the fact that under Augustus a new advisory body was formed - the council of the princeps. In his function was the preparation of various projects, which were subsequently submitted to the Senate for approval, with a note that the emperor approved the plan, which in fact meant the need for his approval. In this council elected senators, consuls and representatives of magistrates descended. In the year 13 n. E. The structure of the body has undergone some changes in the direction of strengthening monarchical power, as some of its members have received the status of lifelong advisors to the ruler, and the decrees have received the force of law.

Changes in the composition of the Senate

The state system of Ancient Rome during the Principate has undergone significant changes in the direction of increasing the powers of the emperor. August decided to reduce the number of senators, the number of which has increased significantly since the reign of his predecessors. In the year 29 n. E. He received the post of censor and removed about 200 people from this important management body. This could not but undermine the positions of the Senate, especially weakened after his powers were curtailed. After some time the emperor reduced the number of quaestors in order to prevent further replenishment of the senate.

Other changes

In addition to the measures listed, August increased the property qualification for the senator. He also changed the quorum system. Henceforth, for each type of meeting, a certain number of participants were established, and for the absence of high fines were imposed. He also tried to improve the attendance of senate meetings, but he never managed to achieve his goal. But, perhaps, the most important change was that as a result of the abolition of the post of censors, the status of senators became lifelong. This led to the fact that its composition ceased to change and be updated, which contributed to the undermining of its influence in Roman society and contributed to the strengthening of the authority of the emperor. The latter banned them from leaving the country, which also limited their activities. So, under Augustus, the influence of the Senate on foreign policy, management and the financial sphere has significantly weakened.

Strengthening the power of the emperor

For the epoch of the Principate in Ancient Rome, the gradual strengthening of the position of the supreme ruler is characteristic. He started his own treasury and since then freely disposed of it without the participation of the senate. In addition, the senators lost their former participation in the formation of the army. For example, at the beginning of the 1st century AD. E. In the provinces there was only one legion of the regular army, while Octavian could intervene in the appointment of commanders and their governors. The Principate and the Dominate in Ancient Rome are two stages in the history of the empire of this state. For both stages, the gradual strengthening of monarchical power is characteristic. The procedure for electing magistrates was changed. Initially, the ruler simply appointed his supporters to these positions, and disliked those disliked by him. Then he began to nominate persons, and the people approved them. It ended up with the fact that the emperor simply appointed magistrates, which undermined self-government. However, plebiscites were preserved - voting on bills.

The power of Augustus

At first he sought to concentrate in his hands the most important posts and powers. Thus, he appropriated to himself the supreme power in the provinces (the post of empires), as well as sufficiently broad powers in the capital (the title of the tribune). Augustus was the first to unite these two posts in his person, since the strongest rulers before him used exclusively dictatorial powers. The periods of the Principate and the Dominate in Ancient Rome are the two most important stages in the formation of the empire. Initially, the ruler became the sole ruler of the provinces. He also occupied the most important post of consul in the state, re-elected every year. The Senate himself freed the ruler from judicial control. August used all the powers of the people's tribune, which gave him the right to introduce bills and veto early decisions. Another important innovation that indicates the strengthening of the imperial power is the granting of the right to convicts to seek pardon exclusively to the emperor, and not to the people's congregations, which was before.

The problem of succession to the throne

The negative side of the new status of the emperor was the question of appointing a successor. Since in the Principate period the ruler was not the sole bearer of supreme power, he could not appoint a successor to himself. This question was especially acute under Octavian, who could not decide his successor in any way. At first, the main candidate was his nephew and son-in-law Marcellus. However, he died, and after the death of Augustus, power passed to his stepson, the emperor Tiberius.

Transition of the Principate to the Dominate

Gradually, the power of the emperor grew so strong that he finally lost the remaining powers. The Principate was formed under Diocletian. Henceforth, the emperor himself issued laws, appointed officials and other officials. However, the survivals of the Principate were preserved: the old institutions continued to function for some time. First of all, this concerns the magistracy, which, however, from now on turned into honorary titles and ceased to play a role in the political life of Roman society. However, it should be noted here that, despite the establishment of the almost unlimited power of the emperor, the order of succession to the throne has not been firmly established. The problems of succession to the throne remained the same. So, the principate in the history of Ancient Rome is the most important stage of the transition from the old republic to the empire. This transition was carried out relatively painless in large part due to the skillful policies of Octavian, who throughout his reign managed to preserve the republican traditions and at the same time to strengthen his power.