Answer and explanation:
The purpose of using dashes in this excerpt is to set off an appositive sentence that contains commas. An appositive sentence is a structure that offers further information on something mentioned before it. Appositives can usually be set off by commas but, when they are long and present commas in their own structure, they are set off by dashes.
In the excerpt we are studying here, the appositive "-so-called because they used to, like, DECLARE things to be true, okay, as opposed to other things are, like, totally, you know, not-" is a very long one and full of commas. It is supposed to offer further information on what declarative sentences are.
A cause of great trouble or suffering.
Answer:
The reign of Augustus from 27 BCE to 14 CE brought peace and security to both politics and trade. The Roman Senate granted Augustus almost unlimited powers, bringing reform to both the city and provinces. He became the “first citizen” or princeps, thus initiating the principate.