Transcript Roman Magistracy - History by Alan Wofford

Roman Government
Common Roman Terms
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Imperium: Right to command/coerce.
Auspicium: Right to take omens – fas (lucky)
and nefas (unlucky) – if unlucky no public
business conducted that day.
Provincia: Area (competence) in which a
consul or praetor could exercise imperium.
Nobiles: Highest class, directly related to past
consul.
Magistrate: Civil officer w/ authority to
administer/enforce law.
Magistrates with imperium and auspicium.
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Consul (2): Heads of
State. (1 yr. term),
commanded armies,
presided over Senate.
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Praetor (8): Law
Officers. (1 yr. term),
presided in absence of
consuls, chief civil
judges.
Magistrates w/o imperium and
auspicium.
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Quaestor (20): Treasurers.
(1 yr. term), treasury
officials, purchasing,
supply officers.
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Aediles (4): Public Works
& Festivals. (1 yr. term),
served as City
Commissioners.
Officials outside the magistracy.
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Tribune of the Plebs
(10): (1 yr. term)
elected by council of
Plebs, could veto any
legislation.
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Censor: Public Morality.
Two elected every 5 yrs
(18 mo term), ex-consuls,
demoted senators for
moral reasons, conducted
census.
In Time of Crisis
Dictator: Ex-consul,
appointed by Senate
(six-month term),
commanded
armies/state.
 Master of the Horse:
Appointed by
dictator, 2nd in
command.
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Cursus Honorum
Ladder of offices in a
political career.
 Unofficial, however,
was normal
progression.
 Each position a
stepping stone to
climb political ladder.
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Approx. age associated with offices.
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17-27: Army duty
30: Quaestor (after 312 BC included membership in the Senate).
34: Aedile – Not necessary and often skipped.
36: Tribune of Plebs ( if you were a Plebian).
38: Praetor
40-42: Consul (many Consuls served in this office several times).
Roman Checks and Balances
Roman System -- based on balance of interests
Monarchical
2 Consuls
+ other magistrates
Aristocratic
Democratic
Senate
Assembly of Tribes
Tribune
Directed government
and army
Acted as judges
Could issue edicts
Acted as chief priest
Controlled state budget
Could pass laws
Approved/rejected laws
Decided on War
Tribune could veto
actions of magistrate
Acted as final court
Basis of power:
possess imperium, the
right to rule
need for leadership
Basis of power:
members were richest
men in Rome.
Basis of power:
provided most of the
soldiers
Limits on power:
one year term
each could veto the
other.
Limits on power:
could not control army
needed majority as
soldiers.
Limits on power:
Could not suggest laws
often paid as clients by
the elite