Elections & Saepta Julia
Elections & Social Mobility
In 27 BC, elections were established and laws against bribery introduced, Agrippa even built the Saepta Julia for this purpose. Augustus would go on to serve as consul for a further seven times (and consecutively until 23 BC), whilst Tiberius would serve twice and his grandsons/adopted sons Gaius and Lucius were designated consuls. This suggests that they were much rather just a façade.
In 29 BC, Crassus killed a King in single combat, thus entitling him to the 'spolia opima' (rich spoils) by Roman tradition. However, Augustus blocked this as unchallenged control over the legions was crucial to Augustus' hold on power. By 19 BC, triumphs had become reserved solely for members of the Imperial family.
Other families stopped appearing on Roman coins. Egnatius Rufus created a fire-fighting force whilst serving as aedile in around 22 BC. He was therefore prematurely put forward to become consul but was arrested for treason and then executed. It has been rumoured that Augustus had set this up to ensure no other Roman grew too popular with the plebs.
In 29 BC, Crassus killed a King in single combat, thus entitling him to the 'spolia opima' (rich spoils) by Roman tradition. However, Augustus blocked this as unchallenged control over the legions was crucial to Augustus' hold on power. By 19 BC, triumphs had become reserved solely for members of the Imperial family.
Other families stopped appearing on Roman coins. Egnatius Rufus created a fire-fighting force whilst serving as aedile in around 22 BC. He was therefore prematurely put forward to become consul but was arrested for treason and then executed. It has been rumoured that Augustus had set this up to ensure no other Roman grew too popular with the plebs.
Saepta Julia
The Saepta Julia was conceived by Caesar, but built Lepidus and then finished by Agrippa in 26 BC. It was used for the 'comitia tribute' (Tribal Assembly) to gather to cast votes. It was located on the Campus Martius, next to the Pantheon, and would later be used by Augustus to host gladiatorial fights and also serve as a market. It was decorated with marble tablets and Greek paintings.