Augustus and the Principate: The Evolution of the System (Arca Classical and Medieval Texts, Papers and Monographs (Hardcover))

Updating and enlarging on a lifetime's work on Augustus and his constitutions' Lacey discusses the process of gradual encroachment whereby Augustus unobtrusively and with minimal opposition accumulated more and more power, whilst outwardly retaining the facade of a republic. Chapters examine the constitutional settlements of 27 and 23 BC, to which Lacey attributes less importance than most, the nature of the role given to Agrippa, the evolution of tribunician power, his religious prominence and dynastic arrangements. This all adds up to a very thorough and incisive study of how under Augustus the republic finally died and the principate was born. "In this compact volume W. K. Lacey synthesises, updates and enlarges on a lifetime's work on Augustus and his 'constitutions.'" "Lacey's series of thematically linked studies rejects as illusory the two 'Constitutional Settlements' (27 and 23 BC) which are emphasised in most accounts of Augustus' development of the Principate. Instead, taking as a starting-point Tacitus' incisive analysis in Book 1 of the Annales, Lacey illustrates the process of gradual encroachment whereby Octavian/Augustus unobtrusively and with minimal opposition accumulated more and more of the powers of the state into his own hands." "Chapters of Lacey's book handle inter alia the evolution by Augustus of the tribunician power, his religious prominence, the nature of the role given to Agrippa, developments in other fields of policy, and dynastic arrangements - in which even the disgrace of his daughter Julia for alleged adultery is shown to form part of Augustus' defence of the planned succession of his adopted sons." "This book will be of interest to all students, teachers and researchers in the history of the early Roman Empire."--BOOK JACKET Coming Home: Continuity And Change In The Traditions Of The Res Publica From Before The Civil Wars To The Death Of Augustus -- Managing The Res Publica -- Octavian In The Senate, January 27 -- Protecting The People -- Agrippa's Provincia -- The Beginning Of The Principate -- Tribunicia Potestas: The Path To Summi Fastigii Vocabulum -- Augustus And The Religion Of The Family -- The Succession To Augustus -- Encroachment And Servile Flattery (adulatio) W.k. Lacey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 233-238) And Indexes. x, 245 p. ; 23 cm Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-238) and indexes