ABSTRACT
Augustus created a permanent professional army commanded by men loyal to him and to Rome. Augustus created the vigiles and cohortes urbanae to fight fires and maintain public order in Rome. The vigiles consisted of seven cohorts 1000 men apiece, and each was in charge of two of the fourteen regions into which Augustus divided Rome. The Praetorian Guard, the vigiles, and the urban cohorts not only preserved law and order in Rome and Italy but also were effective means of preventing or suppressing secret plots and rebellions against Augustus. The loyalty of the provinces required stable, efficient, and honest administration, with due regard for the provincials themselves. To ensure such administration, Augustus kept firm control over both imperial and senatorial governors. Although the Roman Empire extended from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Euphrates, the Alpine region had remained unsubdued and menaced Italy.
