Page 18 - All About History - Issue 09-14

Democracy

How to INSIDE THE SENATE Consul Open doors

BECOME Many locations were used for As the consul would left open during meetings, so
Venue
Meetings were public. To
frequently address the
highlight this, doors were
senate meetings, such as the
senate, he was expected to
Temples of Jupiter Capitolinus,
have a dominant presence
Fides, Concord and Apollo.
anyone could observe them.
and strong oratory style.
A ROMAN

CONSUL

ROMAN REPUBLIC 509-27 BCE

DUTIES OF It was the highest elected office in the days of the Roman
Republic, and two consuls were elected at any one time, each
THE CONSUL serving a one-year term before being replaced. Their duties
spanned a vast range of civil and military tasks, and from 367 BCE
CHIEF JUDGE a plebeian (common) citizen could even stand for office. This kind Traditions
This power was transferred to of democracy wouldn’t last, however, as the death of Julius Caesar Audience One way to keep your
the praetors in 366 BCE, but and subsequent wars led to the establishment of the Roman The senate originally opponents from the floor
consuls would still serve as judges Empire in 27 BCE. The consuls’ powers were absorbed by that of comprised 100 men but was to keep talking – a tactic
in serious cases and whenever the emperor, leaving them as mere figureheads. increased to around 300 at employed several times by
called upon. the height of the Republic. Cato the Younger.
SENATE
Consuls were responsible for
passing the laws of the senate, as
well as acting as ambassadors on
behalf of it.
MILITARY
Consuls were the commanders-
in-chief of the vast and strong
Roman army, which they
governed with the assistance of
military tribunes.
GOVERNORSHIP
After leaving office, each consul
was assigned – at random – a
province or area to govern for a
term of anywhere between one
and five years. Get educated Marry into a wealthy family
Roman consuls are expected to have the immense
If all else fails, attempt to increase your influence
VETO 01 confidence and education necessary to be superb public 02 by marrying into it. In Rome, powerful and wealthy
Each consul had the power to orators. For this reason, find yourself a private tutor – known families often support each other in the form of alliances
block his colleague’s decree,
in the process ensuring that around these woods as a pedagogue – to make sure you have known as amicitia, which are generally made concrete in the
important decisions were only the basic reading skills to lay the foundations you need to form of arranged marriages. Being associated with a great
made in unison. learn the art of rhetoric. family is a quick way to get some votes.

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