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Caesar fought a civil war against the forces of the senate, which opposed him, in the Great Roman Civil War, also known as Caesar's Civil War. After defeating these forces in the Battle of Pharsalus he replaced the senators who had died in that battle with his supporters. He also increased the size of the senate from 600 to 900 and filled the new posts with his supporters. Therefore, he gained control over the senate. However, there were still senators who were opposed to him and eventually some of them assassinated him.

More civil wars followed the death of Caesar and the last of one was a fight over who was to become the sole ruler of Rome between Octavian and Marc Antony. Octavian won and gained control of the legions of the Roman army, becoming the most powerful man. The senate could not challenge this power and reached two compromises (the First and Second Settlement) with Augustus (this is the name which is used for Octavian when he became the first roman emperor) which institutionalised his absolute rule, and turned the senate into an instrument of his power, while it giving a pretence that the senate was still an important political body.

A key difference between the Octavian/Augustus' relationship with the senate and that of Caesar was that Augustus had become even more powerful than Caesar had been. After Caesar's assassination Octavian, Marc Antony and Lepidus, the three leading Caesarians (supporters of Caesar) formed the Second Triumvirate (three-man alliance) which fought the forces which had been assembled by the assassins of Caesar. The triumvirate won and this eliminated the last military resistance to the Caesarians. When Octavian defeated Marc Antony in the last power struggle, he was the unopposed leader of the army.

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Althea Olson

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1y ago
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7y ago

Augustus emerged as the final victor of the civil wars which brought down the Roman Republic. He gained control of the Roman army. He also amassed a fortune with the spoils of war and used this for patronage. He was too powerful for the senate to challenge him. Therefore, it agreed a settlement which in theory kept the senate as the most important politician body, while in actual fact gave Augustus absolute power. As one Roman man put it 'you don't argue with 25 legions.' In addition to this, Augustus was popular among ordinary people because he was the adoptive son of Julius Caesar, the hero of the people.

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8y ago

The senate supported Octavian because it had to. As the winner of the civil war against Marc Antony, Octavian became the leader of the Roman legions. His military power and the great wealth he had accumulated in the civil wars through the spoils of war made opposition to his rule unfeasible.

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14y ago

Augustus Caesar, also known as Octavian, did not want the same fate as Julius Caesar, who was murdered by the senate because he was thought to have to much power.

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Q: Why was Augustus able to gain power from the senate?
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Why did the senate willingly give up this power to Augustus?

The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.


How did Augustus take over the roman government by force?

His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.


How did Julius Caesar gain more power after he was dictator of Rome?

He filled the senate with people who were loyal to him, so he could avoid reproach from the other branches.


What year did slavery start for the Africans?

I do not think anyone knows, but there has always been slavery in every race of their own people from when people were able to gain power over others


How did Robespierre gain power?

by killing the king

Related questions

Why did the senate willingly give up this power to Augustus?

The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.The only thing that the senate could even remotely hope to gain was the favor of Augustus. At the time when Octavian/Augustus took over, it was the one who had the military backing who had the power and Augustus had about 44 legions behind him. Then too, the senate at the time of Augustus was nothing more than a fawning, boot licking bunch of self-serving men. Previously they had given so much power and honors to Julius Caesar that they got him killed. Octavian/Augustus having both the military and popular backing could simply have chosen to take over so to speak, but chose instead, to introduce a smooth transition from republic to principate, giving the senate acknowledgement, but in reality holding the power that he won.


How did Octavian convince the Senate to gain power?

He cut a power-sharing deal with the senators - he took the border provinces (where the armies were), the Senate kept the rest and provided the governors for them.


How did Augustus take over the roman government by force?

His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.His first gain of power by force was when he demanded to be appointed consul and had armed backers to convince the senate to give him the position. He became a triumvir with his power concentrated in Italy and the west. If was not difficult for him to raise an army with popular backing to fight against Cleopatra and Antony. After winning the civil war against Antony and Antony's death, Octavian/Augustus was the sole remaining government official and won it all.


How did the Roman Senate gain power?

During the period of the republic the senate was a very powerful body, but it never gained power. It was an advisory body, not a ruling body. During the period of rule by emperors the senate was reduced to a rubber stamp body for the policies of the emperors.


Who did octavian gain sole control of Rome's lands?

Octavian won the Final Civil War of the Roman Republic in 30 BC and became the absolute ruler of the Roman Empire with the First Settlement with the senate which institutionalised his rule in 27 BC. Historians use the name of Augustus to indicate octavian's life from this point on. Augustus was an honorary title (the venerable one) he had the senate bestow on him.


How is Caesar able to Gain power in the Government?

He had a group of "secret police" called the Gestapo.


Who was able to use their positions and policies more effectively to gain power Hitler or Stalin?

Stalin


What is a Decibel power gain?

Generally power is expressed in watts. The gain is the ratio of the output power to the input power. Gain = (output power)/(input power) if the gain is expressed in terms of log(base10) it is known as Decibel power gain Decibel power gain = Log10(Gain)dB if 1milliwatt power is taken as reference then Decibel power gain = Log10(Output power/1 milliwatt)dBm


How did Augustus change the world?

Augustus Caesar changed the world by establishing a lasting peace and stability called the Pax Romana. During this time, trade, art, communications, buildings and inventions were able to be worked upon and developed. It was also the time when Christianity was able to gain a foothold and to flourish. This in itself, changed the world from a pantheistic one to a monotheistic one.


How do governments gain their just power?

Governments gain their just power through consent of the governed, typically through democratic elections or other forms of representation. Just power is also derived from upholding and protecting the rights and welfare of their citizens as outlined in laws and constitutions. Additionally, governments can gain legitimacy by establishing a fair and impartial system of justice.


How was Stalin able to gain power over troskrov?

He killed him. They were friends, but he had him killed. Stalin murdered millions.


What land did Augustus gain while under rule?

it is an island called pen island