The regular Consuls, of course, were only too ready to follow his wishes.

Finally, he was made Pontifex Maximus, the head of the Roman religion.
Augustus was now supreme ruler in fact, if not in name.

The Senate was practically subject to his will.

The Assemblies gradually lost all voice in the government, and finally disappeared entirely.

The Senate, however, continued nominally to act until the time of Diocletian (284 A.
D.).
As Augustus had exclusive command of the armies, he chose to govern as Proconsul those provinces which required military forces.