By judicious pruning he reduced the number to six hundred, and required a property qualification for membership.

He placed himself at its head as PRINCEPS (prince), a title which implied that the Emperor was the _first_ citizen, without claiming any rights of royalty, thus lulling any suspicions of the populace.
The Senate still decided the most important questions.

It had jurisdiction in criminal matters, and the right of ratifying new laws.
It was convened three times each month; viz.

on the 1st, 5th (or 7th), and 13th (or 15th).

The Emperor voted with the other Senators.
The Senate next conferred upon Octavius the title of AUGUSTUS; then it made him Proconsul (an officer with the right to govern provinces), and Consul, with the privilege of having twelve lictors, and of sitting in the curule chair between the two Consuls.