Changes And Continuities

The Roman Principate developed drastically during the last two centuries of the Western Roman Empire and completely changed from what it was originally intended to be during the reign of Augustus. The Principate during the Julio-Claudian dynasty consisted of Roman aristocrats and elite who struggled to break out of the restrictions of the earlier Republic. Later with the Flavian dynasty, the Principate consisted of Italian elite and gentry who focused on benevolent paternalism and reclaiming Rome’s military strength, this gave them greater political power as Roman citizens had grown more comfortable with the idea of an all encompassing ruler. Next, during the Nerva-Antonine dynasty, Emperors began to come from the provinces rather than the heart of the Roman aristocracy, this led to a greater expanding, more cosmopolitan Rome. The development of the Principate from Roman aristocracy to

This was a major change for the Empire and brought the power of the Emperor closer to the source of power for the Empire which had been in the East for some time. Constantanople was referred to as the Second Rome and was developed after the 14 Roman districts, Roman architecture and even had its own Senate. Constantine dissolved the Tetrarchy and proclaimed himself the sole ruler of Rome as a way to control the Empire as it was falling into disrepair in the west. He also gained favor from the Christians as he allowed them religious freedom with the “Edict of Milan” and created church building projects. Constantine took on a more autocratic position of power in order to gain control of the Empire and strongly establish the Empire in the East. Constantine developed a positive relationship with the Senate and gave them more power again by establishing a Senate house in