Within the limits of the Roman Empire under Augustus there may have been
in all one hundred millions of human beings. Not less than one-half were
in a condition of slavery; and of the rest, only that small proportion
who, under the envied name of Roman citizen (_civis Romanus_), inhabited
Italy, enjoyed political independence, or had the smallest share in the
government. The various lands and peoples were under Roman legates (half
of these appointed by Augustus and the other half by the Senate), who
held supreme military command. To the provinces were left, however,
their independent municipal constitutions and officers. In Rome and
Italy the public peace was preserved by the pretorian cohorts,--bodies
of soldiers of tried valor, to whom Augustus gave double pay. Throughout
the provinces the people were kept in check by the regular
troops,--numbering three hundred and fifty thousand men.