... the occasional court-case and all hand of other trivial matters. But individual senators were still able to gain influence, wealth and power, whether by courting the emperor or by being sent off on an important mission to the East. However, since the senate was not abolished and the Principate was founded on the concept that the emperor was just another senator with tribunicia potestas and imperium maius, chosen amongst his fellows for his superior abilities, the senate still had to be seen to be active and senators needed to be made to feel useful. Emperors who saw the use of the senate and the importance of keeping it happy, have come down in the history books as good emperors. On the other hand, emperors who decided that they did not require the senators and their constant intrigue to rule, were not portrayed quite so well. It is also clear that ...

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