Resumen de Something old, something new... Augustan legislation and the challenge of social control
Augustus' interest in social control is easily demonstrated. His administrative reforms (for example, in the judiciary and in city planning) were thorough and, to judge from the fact that they were maintained and elaborated by his successors, effective. He used magisterial powers to revise the rolls of citizens, senators, and equestrians. Augustus hopes to accomplish through legislation the social control I define as status-maintenance.
My concern lies with the category of laws often described as social or moral legislation. These are typically thought to consist of the laws on electoral misbehavior, ostentatious consumption, marriage, adultery, and the manumission of slaves.
