How did tribunician power allow Augustus to lead Rome without being a consul?

In 23 BCE, Augustus relinquished the consulship to appease the Senate, whose members were offended by his monopolization of the office. To maintain his authority as the civilian head of government without holding the consulship, he was granted the tribunician power (tribunicia potestas).1

Although Augustus could not serve as a plebeian tribune because his status as a patrician disqualified him, the Senate conferred upon him the rights and privileges associated with the office. This power provided him with several critical legal tools:1

• Legislative and Executive Control: He could summon the popular assembly, convene the Senate whenever he chose, and enjoy priority in bringing business before it.12
• Veto Power: He could freely veto measures, allowing him to invalidate the acts of magistrates.2
• Personal Inviolability: Like a traditional tribune, his person was legally protected.2

By holding this power for life, Augustus established a formal, renewable basis for his supremacy that allowed him to lead the state while respecting republican forms.12