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Principate

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Principate

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Also known as the Principate, Principatus Romanus, Roman Principate

The Principate was the early period of the Roman Empire, beginning with the reign of Augustus as the first Roman emperor in 27 BC and conventionally lasting until the late third century, often linked to the Crisis of the Third Century.

AI overview

The Principate was the early phase of the Roman Empire that began when Augustus became the first Roman emperor in 27 BC and lasted roughly until the late third century. It matters because it established the foundational political system and structures that defined how the Roman Empire would be governed for hundreds of years.

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Wikidata facts

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OpenStreetMap tag
historic:period=principate
start time
0027-00-00
end time
0284-00-00
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Article

10 sections
Contents
  • Terminology
  • The Augustan Age
  • Background
  • The development of the Augustan Principate
  • Patronage and the military
  • Other developments
  • References
  • Notes
  • Bibliography
  • Further reading

The Principate was the early period of the Roman Empire, beginning with the reign of Augustus as the first Roman emperor in 27 BC and conventionally lasting until the late third century, often linked to the Crisis of the Third Century.

The Principate as a term is inspired by the position of that had existed during the previous Roman Republic. Augustus refashioned the concept of a ('leading citizen' or 'first citizen') that had previously applied to Roman nobility, but now became a title for the sole ruler of Rome. Later Roman emperors also contributed in defining the role of the in Roman society.

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