This problem he solved, in
some imperfect degree, by the only expedient perhaps open to him in that
despotism, and in those times. But it is remarkable, that, by the
revolution which he effected, the office of Roman Imperator was completely
altered, and Caesar became henceforwards an Oriental Sultan or Padishah.
Augustus, when moulding for his future purposes the form and constitution
of that supremacy which he had obtained by inheritance and by arms,
proceeded with so much caution and prudence, that even the style and title
of his office was discussed in council as a matter of the first moment.
The principle of his policy was to absorb into his own functions all those
offices which conferred any real power to balance or to control his own.
For this reason he appropriated the tribunitian power; because that was a
popular and representative office, which, as occasions arose, would have
given some opening to democratic influences. But the consular office he
left untouched; because all its power was transferred to the imperator, by
the entire command of the army, and by the new organization of the
provincial governments.
Pages:
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339