the Imperator (Emperor) caused himself to be invested with the
authority of Censor. This enabled him to revise the list of Senators,
and to restore to this body something of its ancient respectability.
By judicious pruning he reduced the number to six hundred, and
required a property qualification for membership. He placed himself at
its head as PRINCEPS (prince), a title which implied that the Emperor
was the _first_ citizen, without claiming any rights of royalty,
thus lulling any suspicions of the populace.

The Senate still decided the most important questions. It had
jurisdiction in criminal matters, and the right of ratifying new laws.
It was convened three times each month; viz. on the 1st, 5th (or 7th),
and 13th (or 15th). The Emperor voted with the other Senators.

The Senate next conferred upon Octavius the title of AUGUSTUS; then it
made him Proconsul (an officer with the right to govern provinces),
and Consul, with the privilege of having twelve lictors, and of
sitting in the curule chair between the two Consuls. The regular
Consuls, of course, were only too ready to follow his wishes. Finally,
he was made Pontifex Maximus, the head of the Roman religion.

Augustus was now supreme ruler in fact, if not in name. The Senate was
practically subject to his will. The Assemblies gradually lost all
voice in the government, and finally disappeared entirely. The Senate,
however, continued nominally to act until the time of Diocletian (284
A. D.).

As Augustus had exclusive command of the armies, he chose to govern as
Proconsul those provinces which required military forces. He himself
resided at the capital, and sent deputies (_legati_) to oversee