PETRECHKO O. Socio-political development of the Roman Empire in the first century – at the beginning of the third century A.D. : from “restored” Republic to the Senate monarchy

The evolution of Roman society is being traced in correlation with political institutions of the Early Roman Empire. This dissertation analyzes the processes of transformation in the Roman political & social institutions. It also reveals the foundations and way of functioning of the Principate, as well the ideological foundations of the political regime with the Emperor at its head. Finally, this work traces the influence of the state on the religious consciousness evolution of the Roman society. It is established that the basics of the emperor’s power during the era of Principate were laid down via government reforms which started in 27 B. C. and were completed in 24–23 B. C. It is argued that both, Augustus’ “renewed Republic” and Alexander Sever’s “Senate monarchy”, merely two different stages of the development of the system of Principate. Perhaps, a “veiled monarchy” is the best characterization of this era.