Augustus had almost unlimited power. His position was that
of a king, as supreme as Julius Caesar had ever been. Better, however, than
Julius Caesar, Augustus realized that an undisguised autocracy would only
alienate public opinion and invite fresh plots and rebellions, Augustus
intended to be the real master, but he would also be careful to conceal his
authority under republican forms. The emperor was neither king, dictator, nor
triumvir. He called himself a republican magistrate-- Princeps [2]--the
"First Citizen" of the state.
[2] Hence our word "prince".
POWERS ENJOYED BY AUGUSTUS
Augustus gave up the externals, only to keep the
essentials, of royalty. He held the proconsular authority, which extended over
the frontier provinces and their legions. He held the tribunician authority,
which made his person sacred. As perpetual tribune he could preside over the
popular assemblies, manage the Senate and change its membership at pleasure,
and veto the acts of almost any magistrate. In the provinces and at home in the
capital city the emperor was supreme.
