In the century before Augustus, numerous popular leaders emerged who threatened to undermine the authority of the Senate, only to be assassinated. What, if anything, did Augustus do differently that allowed him to escape this fate and to consolidate power?

Out of curiosity, who, between 127 and 27 BCE besides Caesar, are you thinking about? C. Gracchus, I suppose, although that was technically a suicide. We don't know who killed M. Drusus or why; the most popular guess is Etruscans unhappy with his proposed citizenship laws. P. Clodius? I don't know if a street fight is the same as an assassination. Sertorius was killed by his officers. Who else?