Roman Republic

See also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century)

Government institutions

The first and most important institution of the Roman Republic was the Roman Senate. Inside the Senate there were two unofficial parties the optimates and the populares. The Senate had major influence and prestige being composed by aristocratic and rich patricians almost all of them former republican officials.

Related Topics:
Roman Senate - Optimates - Populares - Patricians

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The Romans observed two principles for their officials: annuality or the observation of a one-year term and collegiality or the holding of the same office by at least two men at the same time. The supreme office of consul, for instance, was always held by two men together, each of whom exercised a power of mutual veto over any actions by the other consul. If the entire Roman army took the field, it was always under the command of the two consuls, who alternated days of command. Most other offices were held by more than two men; in the late Republic there were 8 praetors a year and 20 quaestors.

Related Topics:
Collegiality - Consul - Veto - Roman army - Praetor - Quaestor

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The dictators were an exception to annuality and collegiality, and the censors to annuality. In times of military emergency a single dictator was elected for a term of 6 months to have sole command of the roman state. On a regular, but not annual basis two censors were elected: every five years for a term of 18 months.

Related Topics:
Dictator - Censor - State

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The Roman legion formed the backbone of Roman military power. Rome used its legions to expand its borders from beyond the banks of the Tiber to dominate most of Europe and of the Mediterrean. Each time Rome conquered new lands, the area would be sectioned off into one or several provinces, with each under the command of an governor chosen by the Senate.

Related Topics:
Roman legion - Provinces - Governor

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