09 The Roman Empire: Government and Warfare Free Online FlashCards

What was the Principate?

The Principate was the early imperial system, named for princeps, meaning “first citizen.”

What title did the Senate grant Octavian in 27 BCE?

In 27 BCE, the Senate granted Octavian the title Augustus.

Which republican institutions continued under the early emperors?

Republican offices continued, including the Senate and magistracies such as the consulship, even as imperial rule took shape.

Why was the emperor the central authority despite the survival of republican offices?

The emperor became the central authority through accumulated powers, influence over appointments, wealth, and command of the legions.

What made succession to the emperorship uncertain?

There was no single fixed rule of hereditary succession. Senate recognition mattered, but army support was crucial; disputed successions could lead to civil war.

How were senatorial provinces generally governed?

These provinces were administered in the Senate’s name by governors commonly called proconsuls. They generally lacked large standing armies.

How did local communities contribute to provincial administration?

Cities retained councils and magistrates, while local elites helped collect revenue and manage civic affairs.

What responsibilities could a provincial governor have?

A governor could oversee justice, public order, and relations with local communities; where troops were present, the governor could also have military command.

What major change did Augustus make to Rome’s armies?

Augustus reshaped forces that had often been loyal to individual generals into a more permanent imperial army.

How were cohorts and centuries organized within a legion?

A legion comprised ten cohorts. Its basic unit was the century, usually about eighty soldiers, and several centuries formed a cohort.

What did auxiliary units provide, and what could soldiers gain after service?

Auxiliary units recruited largely from non-citizens and supplied infantry, cavalry, and specialized troops. After service, auxiliary soldiers could receive Roman citizenship.

How could the Roman army both support and threaten imperial rule?

The army helped secure the Empire and support imperial stability, but troops could also proclaim a rival emperor and threaten political order.