Roman Consul

Roman Consul

Roman Constitution
  • Constitution of the Kingdom
  • Constitution of the Republic
  • Constitution of the Empire
  • Constitution of the Late Empire
  • History of the Constitution
  • Senate
  • Legislative Assemblies
  • Executive Magistrates
Ordinary magistrates
  • Consul
  • Praetor
  • Quaestor
  • Promagistrate
  • Aedile
  • Tribune
  • Censor
  • Governor
Extraordinary magistrates
  • Dictator
  • Magister Equitum
  • Consular tribune
  • Rex
  • Triumviri
  • Decemviri
Titles and honours
  • Emperor
  • Legatus
  • Dux
  • Officium
  • Praefectus
  • Vicarius
  • Vigintisexviri
  • Lictor
  • Magister militum
  • Imperator
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  • Augustus
  • Caesar
  • Tetrarch
Precedent and law
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  • senatus consultum
    (senatus
    consultum
    ultimum)
  • Other countries
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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:

    Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true.
    Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell,
    For certain she is dead, and by strange manner.
    Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    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)