The respective advantages of monarchy and a republic have often divided speculative inquirers; the present greatness of the Roman state, the corruption of manners, and the license of the soldiers, supplied new arguments to the advocates of monarchy; and these general views of government were again warped by the hopes and fears of each individual.

Amidst this confusion of sentiments, the answer of the senate was unanimous and decisive.

They refused to accept the resignation of Augustus; they conjured him not to desert the republic, which he had saved.

After a decent resistance, the crafty tyrant submitted to the orders of the senate; and consented to receive the government of the provinces, and the general command of the Roman armies, under the well-known names of Proconsul and Imperator.

[5] But he would receive them only for ten years.