The Roman magistrates were elected officials of the Roman Republic . ... The most significant constitutional power that a magistrate could hold was that of “Command” (Imperium), which was held only by consuls and praetors. This gave a magistrate the constitutional authority to issue commands (military or otherwise).
Who were the magistrates responsibilities?
The Magistrates were a class which included all the bureaucrats involved in running the state machine – including Consuls (elected prime ministers), Tribunes (anti-senators, protectors of the plebs), Praetors (judges), Censors (tax collectors and censors) and Aediles (in charge of urban planning, markets, games and ...
What were the powers and limitations of the magistrates in Rome?
They had the power to veto the actions of other magistrates, or decrees of the Senate . They could also convene the Senate, as well the comitia tributa, one of the popular assemblies, and call and address a contio, a formal debate on various policies and laws.
What was the role of the Assembly in the Roman Republic?
During the republic two different assemblies elected magistrates, exercised legislative power, and made other important decisions . Only adult male Roman citizens could attend the assemblies in Rome and exercise the right to vote. The assemblies were organized according to the principle of the group vote.
What were the three main most important magistrates in the Roman system?
Ordinary magistrates (magistratus) were divided into several ranks according to their role and the power they wielded: censors, consuls (who functioned as the regular head of state), praetors, curule aediles, and finally quaestor .
What were the 2 highest magistrates called?
The two most powerful magistrates in Rome were called consuls (KAHN-suhlz). The consuls were elected each year to run the city and lead the army. There were two consuls so that no one per- son would be too powerful.
What are the top two magistrates called?
Below the dictator was the censor (when they existed), and the consuls , the highest ranking ordinary magistrates. Two were elected every year and wielded supreme power in both civil and military powers. The ranking among both consuls flipped every month, with one outranking the other.
Why did Roman magistrates only hold office for one year?
Why did Roman magistrates only hold office for one year? They remained in power for only one year so that no one part of the government would become too strong . What was the main language spoken in Italy during the 400s BC? Umbrian and Etruscan.
What is the highest position in the Roman government?
The highest positions in the government were held by two consuls, or leaders , who ruled the Roman Republic. A senate composed of patricians elected these consuls. At this time, lower-class citizens, or plebeians, had virtually no say in the government.
Why were tribunes so powerful in Roman government?
These tribunes had the power to convene and preside over the Concilium Plebis (people’s assembly); to summon the senate; to propose legislation; and to intervene on behalf of plebeians in legal matters; but the most significant power was to veto the actions of the consuls and other magistrates, thus protecting the ...
What were the two popular assemblies of Roman Republic?
Shortly after the founding of the Roman Republic (traditionally dated to 509 BC), the principal legislative authority shifted to two new assemblies, the Tribal Assembly (“Citizen’s Assembly”) and the Centuriate Assembly .
What does SPQR stand for?
Upon the triumphal arches, the altars, and the coins of Rome, SPQR stood for Senatus Populusque Romanus (the Senate and the Roman people). In antiquity, it was a shorthand means of signifying the entirety of the Roman state by referencing its two component parts: Rome’s Senate and her people.
How were laws made in the Roman Republic?
The primary way of making official new laws was through the Roman Assemblies . ... There were other ways, however, that laws were implemented including the Plebeian Council, decrees by the senate, decisions by elected officials (magistrates), and edicts by the emperor.
How did plebeian representation change in the government?
Eventually the plebeians were allowed to elect their own government officials. They elected “tribunes” who represented the plebeians and fought for their rights. They had the power to veto new laws from the Roman senate . As time went on, there became few legal differences between the plebeians and the patricians.
How were Roman magistrates chosen?
When the Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC, the powers that had been held by the king were transferred to the Roman consuls, of which two were to be elected each year. Magistrates of the republic were elected by the people of Rome , and were each vested with a degree of power called “major powers” (maior potestas).
What were the three parts of the Roman government?
The three main parts of the government were the Senate, the Consuls and the Assemblies . The Senate was composed of leaders from the patricians, the noble and wealthy families of ancient Rome. They were the law makers. They controlled spending.
