First Settlement

• The First Settlement (27 BCE) and the Second Settlement (23 BCE) formed part of the transfer of Power from the Roman Senate to the Office of Roman Emperor under Augustus.

History

• 27 BCE ‘The First Settlement’:
  • Augustus conducted a ceremony where he apparently restored the Roman Republic by an act of ‘surrendering’ all his powers to the Roman Senate. All these powers were soon returned to him afterwards.

• 31-23 BCE Augustus was re-elected Consul each year.

• 23 BCE ‘The Second Settlement‘:
  • As a Patrician, Augustus was not legally able to hold the Office Tribune of the Plebs. So he gave up his Consulship in exchange for being given ‘Tribunicia Potestas’, the powers of the Tribune of the Plebs for his lifetime.

• 19 BCE The Roman Senate made Augustus Consul for life.

• All Military Authority was removed from the Roman Senate by the First and Second Settlements.