Each year, the Centuriate Assembly elected two consuls to serve jointly for a one-year term. The consuls alternated each month holding fasces (taking turns leading) when both were in Rome. A consul's imperium (military power) extended over Rome and all its provinces.

The consul named first in the lists was identified as consul prior, whereas the other was called consul posterior. The two consuls' authority was equal and their duties were shared on an alternating basis. [1]

consul, in ancient Rome, either of the two highest of the ordinary magistracies in the ancient Roman Republic. After the fall of the kings ( c. 509 bc ) the consulship preserved regal power in a qualified form.

There are 3 reasons why the Roman Republic would have 2 consuls instead of just one. First, having two consuls prevented one consul from abusing their power and becoming a king. Second, Roman custom and tradition dictated that there should always be two powers in the Republic the people and Senate, and the two consuls reflected this.

Consul (abbrev. cos.; Latin plural consules) was the title of one of the two chief magistrates of the Roman Republic, and subsequently also an important title under the Roman Empire.

Oct 22, 2023 · The two consuls were appointed to share the powers and responsibilities of leadership in Ancient Rome, but what exactly did they do? The consuls had a number of responsibilities, some of which included making appointments, conducting foreign affairs and …

Nov 22, 2023 · In Ancient Rome, two consuls were elected each year—a political system that remained in place for centuries. This system stood in contrast to other nations of the time that had a single king or pharaoh, so why did Rome have two consuls?

Feb 28, 2020 · During the Principate, the Senate appointed multiple consuls. Originally, the consuls came from the patricians. Later, they were chosen from either patrician or plebeian, and later, there was a requirement that at least one consul be plebeian. Consuls were responsible for war, justice, and finance.

2 days ago · Introduction. The consuls, known as consules in Latin, were the highest elected officials in the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. They served as the chief magistrates and had significant powers and responsibilities. This article aims to provide an in-depth understanding of who the consuls were in ancient Rome, their roles and responsibilities, and the significance of their position ...

Mar 11, 2025 · If a consul died in office, he was replaced. That replacement consul was called a consul suffectus, and it was a less prestigious position because their name was not given to the year. Statue base of Marius recording that he was consul seven times, Rome, c. 1st century BCE. Source: Museum of Roman Culture