Administrative Changes to the Provinces Flashcards
(27 cards)
What was the system ruling Rome before the Emperors?
Republic
The Republic was governed by elected officials and a Senate.
What is the Senate in the context of ancient Rome?
A place where many senators (rich aristocrats) met to discuss the future of Rome.
Define Pomerium.
A boundary surrounding Rome where armies could not cross.
Who was the Praetor Praefectus urbi?
Administrator of Rome.
What does Potestas refer to?
Amount of power.
What does Auctoritas signify?
Power through influence.
What does Plebs refer to in ancient Rome?
Poorer people within Rome.
How did Augustus administratively change Rome?
Divided Rome into 13 different districts.
What was the method of control for the districts under Augustus?
Placed under the control of magistracies chosen annually by lot.
What did Augustus do to ensure local governance?
Subdivided districts into wards under locally elected supervisors.
What significant boundary did Augustus extend?
The boundary of Rome’s pomerium.
What public service did Augustus institute for fire safety?
A fire brigade for the city and regulations to prevent fires.
How many times did Augustus revise the senatorial role?
Three times (probably in 29, 18 and 11 BC).
What was the peak number of senators under Julius Caesar?
1000 members.
What property qualification did Augustus impose for senators?
More than doubled the minimum property requirement from 400,000 sesterces to 1 million.
How many senators were removed in Augustus’ first revision?
190 were removed.
What was the total number of senators by 18 BC?
Dropped to 600.
What did Augustus ban to appease the Senate?
The publication of the ‘Proceedings of the Senate’.
What new offices did Augustus create for public service?
Offices for upkeep of public buildings, roads, aqueducts, and grain distribution.
How many new offices of praetor were created beyond the existing eight?
Two new offices.
What was a key feature of Augustus’ personal governance style?
Demonstrated personal involvement through the Edicts of Cyrene.
What was the purpose of Augustus’ building programme?
To create a city architecturally worthy of being the capital of the Empire.
What did Suetonius say about Augustus’ impact on Rome’s architecture?
Found a Rome built of bricks but left one clothed in marble.
What major project did Augustus oversee that had begun as early as 33 BC?
Construction and improvements of the public aqueducts.
