Reputation by 27 BC
Image change from 'Ruthless Triumvir' to 'Peaceful Princeps'.
Triumphs
In 29 BC, Octavian celebrated three triumphs, Dalmatia (35 BC - 34 BC), Actium and Egypt; it included an effigy of Cleopatra and featured her surviving children being walked-in. Octavian rode behind them in the traditional chariot, wearing a laurel wreath (signifying victory).
Octavian's Sixth Consulship, 28 BC
Octavian served his sixth consulship in 28 BC alongside Agrippa. For the first time in twenty years, the consuls engaged in no major military campaigns and rather stayed in Rome for the duration. the Acts of the Triumvirs were annulled and the consuls assumed the role of Censors. They had three tasks:
1. to hold a lustrum (a ritual purification of the people).
2. conduct a census.
3. supervise conduct of the citizens and the Senate.
It was the first census in seventy years and helped to restore the popular confidence in the mechanisms of the state. The number of senators was cut from 1,000 down to 800; Suetonius writes of how this was unpopular. When this was announced, Octavian was said to wear a sword and steel corselet beneath his tunic and senators were only allowed to approach after their togas had been searched for weapons.
1. to hold a lustrum (a ritual purification of the people).
2. conduct a census.
3. supervise conduct of the citizens and the Senate.
It was the first census in seventy years and helped to restore the popular confidence in the mechanisms of the state. The number of senators was cut from 1,000 down to 800; Suetonius writes of how this was unpopular. When this was announced, Octavian was said to wear a sword and steel corselet beneath his tunic and senators were only allowed to approach after their togas had been searched for weapons.