Ancient Roman Democracy

Introduction

Octavian defeated Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra VII at Actium and became the undisputed leader of Rome. Through his military power he was able to maintain control of the Rome and gradually establish a monarchy. The Romans hated the term monarchy and Octavian wanted to be considered democratic. Thus he did not create any positions but simply held the powers of the regular magistracies, many at ones and continuously. The Romans, weary from civil war, knew what he was doing but accepted the situation.

After the civil war Octavian through his general Marcus Agrippa demobilized the Roman army from 75 legions reduced to 28. Octavian controlled all the stronger provinces where legions were stationed; out of the 28 remaining legions Octavian alone controlled (Robinson, p.11). Dio Cassius wrote " ...he alone had arms and maintained soldiers..." Octavian was secure financially through his acquisition of Egypt administrated by him directly through his Praefectus Aegypti. According to Dio Cassius Octavian controlled the state treasury and could spend it as he chooses. Because Octavian had both military and financial control of Rome he had absolute power in all matters.

Princeps was the official title of the early emperors. The Princep or 'first citizen' held supreme 'auctoritas' and were the top patrons. This form of government is referred to as the principate(Connor, p.3). Octavian was later given the title Augustus and became the first Princep. He established a model of government based on the assumption of positions and powers already existing in the Republic. This model of the principate was followed and extended by later principes.

Discussion

Ancient Rome was an agrarian and slave based economy whose main concern was feeding the vast number of citizens and legionaries who populated the Mediterranean region. Agriculture and trade dominated Roman economic fortunes, only supplemented by small scale industrial production. The staple crops of Roman farmers in Italy were various grains, olives, and grapes. Olive oil and wine, outside of direct food stuffs, were among the most important products in the ancient civilized world and led Italy's exports. The production and transportation of foods dominated the trading industry but there was also a vast exchange of other goods from all parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The prosperity of the Empire and many of it citizens generated a need for luxurious and exotic imports. Silks from China and the Far East, cotton and spices from India, Ivory and wild animals from Africa. Extensive Trade routes were established on land and sea. While a benefit of a large network of roads was the transport of goods, their most significant purpose was the fast mobilization of the Legions. Most large-volume, cumbersome goods, such as food, precious metals, stones and building supplies, were shipped by water. Numerous sea lanes provided cheap and easy access to all parts of the Mediterranean. (Bradley, p.13)

According to Dio Cassius Augustus held all the offices and titles except dictatorship, although original constitutional magistracies still exist everything is carried out according to Augustus' wishes. Augustus frequently became a consul ...