Roman Consul

Roman Consul

Roman Constitution
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  • Consul
  • Praetor
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Extraordinary magistrates
  • Dictator
  • Magister Equitum
  • Consular tribune
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    ultimum)
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Ancient Rome portal

A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.

Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month. However, after the establishment of the Empire, the consuls were merely a figurative representative of Rome’s republican heritage and held very little power and authority, with the Emperor acting as the supreme leader.

Read more about Roman Consul:  Consular Dating, Lists of Roman Consuls

Famous quotes containing the words roman and/or consul:

    “A Roman divorced from his wife, being highly blamed by his friends, who demanded, “Was she not chaste? Was she not fair? Was she not fruitful?” holding out his shoe, asked them whether it was not new and well made. “Yet,” added he, “none of you can tell where it pinches me.””
    —Plutarch (c. 46–120 A.D.)

    “I wouldn’t think of asking you to lie; you haven’t the necessary diplomatic training.”
    —John Farrow. Consul in Valparaiso, The Sea Chase (1955)