Rome wasn't initially a dictatorship; initially it was a senate. SPQR stands for the Senate and the People of Rome. The senate did remain in existance, though obviously the Emperor was the real power - at least in theory. There were certain cases when that wasn't true.
As for the senate, you're in part right. The senate was basically made up of the head of the important Roman houses, and though others could be removed (by censors) or given a position, it didn't mean they were entitled to speak. However, the senate elected members to their internal offices: The Plebian counsil for example voted for who would be the People's Tribune, or Tribunus Plebis.
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I hate the mice from Bagpuss. Never trust rodents with DIY skills.
"We will fix it, we will fix, we will stick it with glue, glue, glue, we will stickle it, every little bit of it, we will fix it like new, new new."
::SQUISH::
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