Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/278

 CHAPTER VII.

THE RULE OF CAESAR, 48-44 B.C.

I. The End of the Civil War and the Establishment of a New Monarchy.

Nature of Caesar's Dictatorships. — As extraordinary dictator (dictator rei publicae constituendae), popular tribune, and chief pontiff, Caesar possessed in the main the powers of the Roman kings. He might monopolize the power to propose laws and senatorial decrees, and he had the supreme executive and judicial authority. He was specially authorized to deal with the Pompeians as he saw fit, to declare war and conclude peace, to be a candidate for the consulship for the next five years in succession, to nominate all the magistrates except the plebeian aediles and tribunes, to assign praetorian provinces to whatever praetors he pleased, and probably also to have charge of the finances of the state. He was not bound by the republican principles of collegiate and annual tenure, and with his superior authority (imperium maius) he controlled absolutely the consuls, praetors, aediles, and quaestors. He could check the tribunes by his power of intercession, but was himself subject to no veto.

Caesar's Law respecting House Rents, Loans, and Debts. — Caesar entered on his second dictatorship in November, 48. He postponed the Roman elections until he should return. Hence Mark Antony was the only curule magistrate at Rome in the beginning of 47. Arbitrary and