Augustus- Benefits Gain by the Providences

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As Princeps, Augustus’ reforms in the provinces contributed significantly to transforming and benefiting the people of the provinces. The benefits included establishing peace, security, and stability throughout the empire as well as developing economic prosperity. Augustus’ administrative, economic and military reforms were aimed to better the people of the provinces in turn bettering the Roman people. Peace was a major issue in the provinces. This came about as the Roman Empire spread, more cultures were taken over leading to the new ‘captives’ being discontented with Roman occupation. Peace for the provinces meant both the governing body in keeping peace, and the people of the provinces enjoying the benefits of peace. Augustus as the Princeps made many reforms to the military in order to enforce peace.This can be seen through Shotter, “It is clear that for stability to be re-established the role of the army and its relationship with its generals would have to undergo change.”(D. Shotter 1991, p.49). Augustus slowly transferred the loyalty and trust of the army and legions to himself rather then their generals. He did this by paying the legions himself from the Aerarium Militare. This made the legions follow him giving him the power of the army. Both Shotter and Salmon agree that the military is the basis of Augustus power, Salmon wrote, “The real basis of the Principate was the emperor’s military power.” (Salmon, p.89). Similarly Shotter saids, “Ultimately the army was the key to the Empire’s security,” (D. Shotter 1991 p.49) Thus Augustus’ power and control over the army enabled him to prevent an uprising of opposition or rebellion against Rome in the provinces. This also prevented civil wars which usually were fought in the provinces. The lack of civil wars also meant that normally unsettled provinces with war taking place did not require supplies and
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