Augustus gradually increased ...

Augustus gradually increased his powers, taking over those of the senate, the executives and the laws. The aristocracy received wealth and position in proportion to their willingness to accept slavery. The state had been transformed, and the old Roman character gone for ever. Equality among citizens was completely abandoned. All now waited on the imperial command.
 See image
 Tacitus

Quotes from the same author

To abandon your shield is the basest of crimes; nor may a man thus disgraced be present at the sacred rites, or enter their council; many, indeed, after escaping from battle, have ended their infamy with the halter.
 See image
 Tacitus
No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.
 See image
 Tacitus
The Germans themselves I should regard as aboriginal, and not mixed at all with other races through immigration or intercourse. For in former times, it was not by land but on shipboard that those who sought to emigrate would arrive; and the boundless and, so to speak, hostile ocean beyond us,is seldom entered by a sail from our world.
 See image
 Tacitus
Greater things are believed of those who are absent.
 See image
 Tacitus
Conspicuous by his absence.
 See image
 Tacitus