ic Wars--were closed, and Rome was at peace with
all the world.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO.

CICERO'S public life covered a period of nearly forty years, from the
dictatorship of Sulla to the fall of the Republic. Although endowed by
nature with great talents, he was always under the sway of the moment,
and therefore little qualified to be a statesman; yet he had not
sufficient self-knowledge to see it. Hence the attempts he made to play
a part in politics served only to lay bare his utter weakness. Thus it
happened that he was used and then pushed aside, attracted and repelled,
deceived by the weakness of his friends and the strength of his
adversaries; and at last threatened by both the parties between which he
tried to steer his course.

CHAPTER XXXVI. AUGUSTUS (30 B.C.-14 A.D.)

After enjoying his triple triumph, Octavius should, according to the
precedents of the Republic, have given up the title of IMPERATOR; but he
allowed the Senate, which was only too glad to flatter him, to give him
that name for ten years,--a period which was repeatedly renewed. In
this way he became permanent commander of the national forces. Next 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