The Success Of Augustus Caesar And The Success Of Julius Caesar

Augustus Caesars success Before there was an Augustus Caesar or even Julius Caesar in charge of Rome, there was the Senate, which held most of the power in the Roman Republic. Around the time of 60 B.C.E. Rome was growing and so was the military and the senate was not able to control them, thus leading to a civil war which consisted of three generals: Julius Cesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Needless to say Crassus died in battle and the senate sided with the general Pompey then told Julius Caesar to leave and disband his army. Julius decided not to do this and instead crossed the Rubicon river and was able to defeat the senate and Pompey making him (Julius) the ruler of the Republic of Rome. Four years later the senate finally got tired of Julius

Of course Augustus consolidated and brought all of the powers of Rome closer together allowing Augustus to slowly take most of the Republics power for himself. Some of the titles and powers that he senate executively gave to Augustus were: “principate”, this means meant “first citizen” which was basically the claim to emperor. Then there was “tribunica potestas” full power of the tribunes, which allowed Augustus Caesar to call the entire senate into a session whenever he wanted. Lastly there was “pontifex maximus” which made him the head of the religious part of Rome. With all of these large powers confined to himself along with his huge influence with the people he became the strongest political power in Rome forming it into a constitutional monarchy where he ruled at the top and then took advice from the senate. Other than just giving him extra power and titles the senate also carried out his decrees, an example of this would be when Augustus wanted to change the way extortion was handled and then the senate made it law shortly after. (WRW. Sc. #1,7, pp. 78-81, 82-83, 88-90.) (McKAY. pp.