WI: Octavian or Caesar restored the monarchy?

As per the title, what if Caesar or Octavian attempted to restore the monarchy or at very least formalise the new régime with a hereditary succession?
 
As per the title, what if Caesar or Octavian attempted to restore the monarchy or at very least formalise the new régime with a hereditary succession?

I'm not the most versed in Roman history, but even I know that an attempt to restore the monarchy at the end of the republic would lead to an instant backlash against Caesar/Octavian. The Romans prided themselves on being a republican society, and both Caesar and Octavian knew that the Roman people would instinctively reject any leader who attempted to become king. Thus, their nominal titles were things like "First Citizen" and "first among equals" even though they had the powers of an emperor/dictator.
 
So at least the pretence of election HAD to be maintained?

No, the pretense of the Enate holding power had to be maintained. Octavian and to a lesser extent Caesar truly ruled the Empire, but they had to make it look as if the Senate ran things.
 
The title 'rex' had very negative connotations for the Romans. It shows up in contemporary histories when tyrannical emperors are accused of acting like a king of an oriental country instead of a first citizen of Rome. So Julius and Augustus had sensible reasons for avoiding the title even if they were monarchs in all but name.

The term dictator, by contrast, didn't automatically excite hostility.
 
Thanks guys.

Is it a certain that Augustus' personal union of various titles - Imperator, Princeps Senatus, his tribunician powers - was a more stable pseudo-office than being made perpetual Dictator?
 
It wouldn't work and would probably backfire. Rome would go back to being a republic after Caesar/Octavian are assassinated or removed from power. The Romans hated the word Rex and prided themselves in being republican. Octavian and Caesar were lucky to do what they did OTL.

Thanks guys.

Is it a certain that Augustus' personal union of various titles - Imperator, Princeps Senatus, his tribunician powers - was a more stable pseudo-office than being made perpetual Dictator?

I would think so.
 
Thanks guys.

Is it a certain that Augustus' personal union of various titles - Imperator, Princeps Senatus, his tribunician powers - was a more stable pseudo-office than being made perpetual Dictator?

WEll, Augustus made all the rules for his office, so I'd say yes- Augustus could say whatever he wanted was a part of the role, and there would be nothing anyone could do about it.
 
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