Thats not my arguement. He rose to power like any mafia boss, by using people and putting the squeeze on others. Force of arms and tyranny (well, he wasn't an ogre, but then as I've stated before, being nice to everyone won't win you power in Rome) got him there.
Seems to me as if it is your argument.
Seriously, if you put aside the regal politician and see him as a ruthless mafia style ganglord, you're closer to what he was and how he acted.
These people rule gangs, not empires.