He himself resided at the capital, and sent deputies (_legati_) to oversee them.
The other provinces, called Senatorial, were governed by Proconsuls appointed by the Senate.

These were at this time Sicily, Africa, Achaia (Greece), Macedonia, Asia (Minor), Hispania Ulterior, and Gallia Narbonensis.
The city government now included all Italy.

In this Augustus was assisted by three _Praefects_; one in charge of the corn supplies, a second in charge of the city proper, and a third in charge of his body guard of nine thousand men, called the PRAETORIAN GUARD.

These Praefects soon overshadowed all the regular magistrates, and through them Augustus reigned supreme.
The Roman Empire at this time included all the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, extending east to the Parthian kingdom (the Upper Euphrates) and the Arabian Desert, south to the Desert of Sahara, and west to the Atlantic Ocean.

On the north the boundary was unsettled, and subject to inroads of barbarians.