Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology No. 6.4/2019 5 Valentin Medvedev Togliatti State University medved.valentin@rambler.ru ONCE AGAIN TO THE QUESTION OF OCTAVIAN AUGUSTUS’ PRINCIPATE Abstract: In the article on the basis of scientifc publications of Russian and foreign scientists, as well as information of ancient authors, there is the analysis of little-studied problems of the formation of Roman Caesarism not only from formal legal, but also socio-economic and political points of view which objectively infuenced the transformation of the Republican system in Rome. Te author tries to resolve the question whether Octavian desired power for his personal elevation, and the formation for this the monarchical form of government, as many researchers believe, or his purpose was the development of the Republican system which was adequate to the challenges of time? Were the powers of August diferent from powers of other Roman magistrates? Te article proposes a new vision of the purposes and tasks of the propaganda war between Antony and Octavian, as well as the peculiarities of Augustus acquisition of prestige and authority and powers of the tribune and consul, which became the basis of his Imperial power. Keywords: Principate, the magistrate, the Senate, the Roman comitia, Tribune, Consul, Emperor, province, the law, propaganda war. A bout the Principate of Octavian Augustus a considerable number of works have been, from the works of Titus Labien and Azilian Pollio who lived during the reign of the Princeps. Tis is not surprising, because the formation of the Principate is one of the key problems of ancient history. Back in the middle of the last century, N. A. Mashkin wrote that very ‘difcult to name another problem of ancient history, which is discussing in historical literature with such constancy as the history of the Principate’ 1 . However, as imagine, this problem so until the end not investigated, as a more attentive study we can reveal a number of ‘white spots’. In particular, the question of the origin of the power of August is resolved unilaterally, mainly from a formal legal point of view, based on which the conclusion is been made about the degree of legality of his powers in the sphere of state administration. However, even within the framework of this approach, not all the nuances of Octavian coming to power were been revealed deeply enough. In addition, as a rule, in their works, researchers focus on the subjective factor in the sense of Octavian desire for sole power. Of course, this played an important role in the formation of the Principate. However, we must not lose sight the objective side, which is associated with changes in the socio-political and economic situation in Roman society at the end of the late period of the Republic. In this regard, the actual side of the problem remains open, which reveals little-known facts of the usurpation of power by Octavian 1 MASHKIN 1949, 3. Studies ANCIENT HISTORY DOI: 10.14795/j.v6i4.472 ISSN 2360 – 266X ISSN–L 2360 – 266X