SP1B: THE CHANGING
ROLE OF THE PRINCEPS
UNDER THE JULIOCLAUDIANS
The Julio-Claudians
What is a principate?

Derives from the word “princeps” which means first or chief. Title
given to Augustus which implied that he was first amongst equals.

Rome was dominated by this political leader, while not formally
head of state and/or head of government.

Resembles a modern day constitutional monarchy.

The Principate is characterized by a concerted effort on the part of
the Emperors to preserve the illusion of the formal continuance of
the Roman Empire and the features of a republic.
What was established by
Augustus?


Princeps embodied all the virtues of an ideal ruler – clemency and
justice; who was to also “look after” Rome like a father figure.
Granted new powers by the Senate, these were to set the tone of
the Princeps would be responsible for.
Proconsular Maius Imperium
Tribunica Potestas
 Supreme power anywhere in the
empire
 Controlled extended provinces,
armed forces, military treasury and
foreign policy.
 Ensured the welfare of Rome.
 Could enter the city of Rome and
keep his power.
 Right to veto legislation
 Convened the people’s assembly and
the Senate.
 Sacrosanct (protected by the position)
 Presented legislation
 Influenced the nomination of
magistrates.

The Office of the Principate brought together all these powers that
had traditionally been held by separate individuals.
So how did the role change over
time?
Emperor
Changes to role
Tiberius
 Maintained much of the precedents and principles as established
by Augustus
 Excellent civil administrator – economically strong, reduced
spending on public buildings and games, chose officials carefully
and maintained pax romana
 Attempted to work with the senate and maintain traditional rights
without over-stepping his “position”
 Carried the burden of the all governmental decisions – senate too
servile
 Maiestas – the treasons trials showed that Princeps would act in a
manner that saw him as the State.
Gaius
 Acquired more powers and eventually expected to be treated like
a god with absolute and unreasonable authority.
 Alienated the Senate by terrifying and humiliating senators.
 Acted brutally and with vengeance
 Failed to rule but to invoke fear and panic in the Roman people.
So how did the role change over
time?
Emperors
Changes to role
Claudius
 Efficient and humane administrator
 Introduced good social legislation that reflected his duty to
care for the people, especially slaves, women and minors.
 Provided for the people – utilities, entertainment and justice.
 While not originally connected to the army, became a
successful military leader, and extended the empire.
 Centralised the bureaucracy, appointing freedmen to specific
roles. This angered the senate.
Nero
 Young when came to power, so ruled through mother, Seneca
and Burrus.
 Not particularly interested in the running of Rome and Empire,
allowed freedmen and others to manage.
 Tended to host more artistic events
 Spent excessively and reduced the treasury surplus.
 Used his position to gratify himself.
Thinking it through

In your own words answer the following
questions...
 In
what way(s) did the role (responsibility) of the
princeps change?
 Who was responsible for the change over time?
 How do you think the ancient and modern historians
would have viewed the role of the princeps?