Describe The Relationship Between Augustus And Tiberius

In theory the Senate was a purely advisory body, but in practice it became a governing body in Rome. It was the legislature, executive and judiciary, all rolled into one. It was a permanent body with ultimate control in Rome and it governed Rome until 133 B.C., virtually unchallenged.

The Senate had been able to obtain this enormous power because of the policy of greedy imperialism pursued by Rome, resulting in vast territorial expansion and a consequent shameful exploitation of the provinces.

The two Triumvirates which were to follow and the presence of Augustus sounded the demise for the Republic, and therefore the rule of the Senate, although, through the Julio-Claudian era, the senate was still very important; with Augustus and Tiberius sincerely interested in maintaining its prestige.

Each emperor had a different relationship with the senate. These relationships combined with the individual
He restored to it the elections of the magistrates, and restored to the Senate the right to mint coinage again. Also, foreign affairs and matters concerning the provinces were once more discussed by the Senate. There were more 'senatus consulta' passed in Claudius reign than in any other princeps rule. Although these changes took place the Senate still felt that it was "ignorant of the direction of government" as power was also taken away from the Senate during Claudius' reign. Many tasks that were originally associated with senators were handed to procurators and freedmen; a practice that the senate utterly despised. An example of this curbing of power is seen through the instance that Claudius withdrew the Senates responsibility of taking charge of the imperial and gave it to procurators. We can also see the ex-statesman, Seneca, mocking Claudius' policies and speaking out for the Senate as they did not like admitting foreigners, "He made up his mind, you know, to see the whole world in the