What building was associated with a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic from an oligarchy into the autocratic Roman Empire?
Arch of Augustus, Rome The Arch of Augustus (Italian: "Arco di Augusto" ) was the triumphal arch of Augustus, located in the Roman Forum. It spanned the road between the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the Temple of Caesar, near the Temple of Vesta. Built in 20 BC, it commemorated the return of the Parthian standards and replaced the earlier Arch of Octavian built on the same spot in 29 BC, to commemorate the Battle of Actium (31 BC) against Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
Executive magistrates of the Roman Republic The executive magistrates of the Roman Republic were officials of the ancient Roman Republic (c. 510 BC – 44 BC), elected by the People of Rome. Ordinary magistrates ("magistratus") were divided into several ranks according to their role and the power they wielded: "censors", "consuls" (who functioned as the regular head of state), "praetors", "curule aediles", and finally "quaestor". Any magistrate could obstruct (veto) an action that was being taken by a magistrate with an equal or lower degree of magisterial powers. By definition, "plebeian tribunes" and "plebeian aediles" were technically not magistrates as they were elected only by the "plebeians", but no ordinary magistrate could veto any of their actions. "Dictator" was an extraordinary magistrate normally elected in times of emergency (usually military) for a short period. During this period, the dictator's power over the Roman government was absolute, as they were not checked by any institution or magistrate.