From Republic to Empire, 44 B.C.E.–14 C.E.

It takes time for a new tradition to take hold. Augustus created his new political system gradually; following his favorite saying, Augustus “made haste slowly.” He succeeded because he reinvented government, guaranteed the army’s support, did not hesitate to use violence to win power, and built political legitimacy by communicating an image of himself as a dedicated leader and patron. By declaring his respect for tradition and establishing his disguised monarchy as Rome’s political system, he saved the state from anarchy. Succeeding where Caesar had failed, Augustus preserved his power by making the new look old.