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Julio-Claudian Emperors

The Foundations of Imperial Power

I have mentioned already, the proconsular power of the emperor. Augustus took other concrete steps to concentrate the key threads of power in his own hands.

First and foremost was imperial control of the military. The Senate had two legions, but the emperor had two dozen. Every soldier in every legion swore an oath of allegiance to the emperor personally, as well as to the Republic. Disloyalty to the emperor was treason.

Secondly, Augustus had control of the treasury. With the entire nation of Egypt at his command, plus provincial income, the emperor could do as he pleased without ever touching the state treasury.

Third, the emperor controlled foreign policy completely. He could declare war, make peace, conclude treaties, all in his own name and binding on the state.

Fourth, the emperor controlled the bureaucracy, the civil service of Rome. This was a vast machine of administrators, judges, governors, and tax collectors. Like the soldiers, they swore an oath of personal loyalty. Indeed, Augustus was so rich that he paid the salaries of many of them.

With all these under his control, he could well afford to yield this or that office to the Roman nobility.