- Political
- Transferred the election of magistrates from the popular assemblies to the Senate.
- Made the Senate a court of law for cases involving Senators and equestrians.
- Expanded the role of the City Prefect to include jurisdiction in criminal cases.
- Administrative:
- Cassius Dio : ‘While expending extremely little for himself he laid out very large sums for the common good, either rebuilding or adorning practically all the public works and also generously assisting both cities and private individuals. He enriched numerous senators who were poor and on that account no longer wish to be members of the Senate… All these expenditures, moreover, he made from the regular revenues; for he neither put anybody to death for his money nor confiscated, at this time, anybody’s property, nor did he even resort to tricky methods of obtaining funds.’
- Provided large subsidies to lower the price of grain.
- Provided an interest free loan fund of 100million sesterces to alleviate the financial crisis in AD 33.
- Reduced the unpopular sales tax from 1% to 0.5%
- Protected provincials from extortion and mis-government by reforming political provincial administration.
- Strictly controlled finances, left a large surplus in the treasury upon his death.
- Social:
- Maintained public order in Rome and Italy
- Discouraged games and spectacles and restricted the number of gladiators participating.
- Expelled actors from Italy.
- Provided relief for victims of fires and natural disasters.
- Religious:
- Created the Augustales, a priesthood established to maintain the cult of Augustus.
- Expelled Roman Jews and worshippers of Isis who were not Roman citizens.
- Expelled astrologers from Rome.
- Rejected divine honours for his mother Livia.
- Rejected provincial requests to build temples in his honour.
