CLAS 201 Chapter Notes - Chapter Reading: Numidia
16 Nov 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Romans believed that the highest officials of their state were men who were skilled in military and civilian functions. During the republican period, there were two annual consuls where these duties were shared. When augustus assumed the role of emperor, he continued the tradition by serving as chief civilian magistrate and as the military commander in chief, the imperator. His position as the imperator made him a very powerful individual because he could use military force or the threat of military force to suppress opposition to his policies. Every emperor after augustus was aware that the power of the emperor rested in their ability to maintain the loyalty and support of the legions. Most emperors took a chance to foster personal popularity among the troops and that they were concerned with military affairs. Others played an active and visible role as commanders by traveling to military bases even in far areas of the empire.
