The consuls were the two highest elected officials in the Roman Republic. They were elected by the comitia centuriata, and almost all other magistrates within the Republic had to follow orders and submit to the will of the consuls.
Showing posts with label roman republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roman republic. Show all posts
Comitia Tributa - Roman Assembly in the Republic
The comitia tributa was an assembly just for plebeians or the “tribes” of Rome. This plebeian assembly started with minimal power, but its power grew as the republic evolved and the balance of power shifted from one group to another.
Comitia Centuriata - The Roman Assembly During the Republic
In time, the comitia centuriata became the true legislative body of the Roman Republic. When we talk about SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus – the Senate and People of Rome), “people” refers to the citizens; the citizens were the comitia centuriata.
Comitia Curiata - The Roman Assembly During the Republic
The comitia curiata was one of the earliest popular assemblies of Rome. There is some debate as to when it began, but likely the comitia curiata began meeting just prior to the creation of the Republic (prior to 509 BC), when Rome was still ruled by kings.
The comitia curiata was possibly the first popular legislative body of Rome. That is, it was the first body with the power to approve or reject laws set before it by the republican magistrates (or before the republic, the kings). Only members of the elite families of Rome – patricians – could participate in the comitia curiata.
With the creation of the comitia centuriata, the comitia curiata lost most of its legislative power and became more of a ceremonial body. For instance, the comitia curiata had the power to inaugurate various priests and give the power of imperium to magistrates (consuls, praetors, etc…) each year when new ones were elected and ready to take office.
The comitia curiata was possibly the first popular legislative body of Rome. That is, it was the first body with the power to approve or reject laws set before it by the republican magistrates (or before the republic, the kings). Only members of the elite families of Rome – patricians – could participate in the comitia curiata.
With the creation of the comitia centuriata, the comitia curiata lost most of its legislative power and became more of a ceremonial body. For instance, the comitia curiata had the power to inaugurate various priests and give the power of imperium to magistrates (consuls, praetors, etc…) each year when new ones were elected and ready to take office.
Government of the Roman Republic - The Senate
The Roman senate had much of the real power during the time of the republic. The senate was made up of 300 powerful Roman men (although it was increased to as many as 900 in the later years of the republic). Many Roman senators had held another high office before being appointed to the senate. In fact, once a Roman had served in a high office in the republic (consul, praetor, etc…), he was made a senator for life.
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