Roman Senate
The Roman Senate is the most enduring institution in all of Rome. Coming into existence by the will of Romulus in the first year of the city's founding (AUC 1), the Senate has survived through all three periods of the Roman age: the monarchy, the republic, and now, the empire. Its powers have changed over the years, from first being a simple advisory council, to the primary governing body, and now, once again, taking on a mainly advisory role.
The Roman Senate is populated by 600 Senators, who all come from the Patrician class (i.e., the aristocracy). The Senators are are appointed by Consuls, who are chosen from among the Senate's number by the Emperor to serve as presiders over the senate.
Senators serve for life, once appointed. However, there is some turnover due to the appointment of Consuls, as these officers are chosen from the ranks of the Senate and, once having served as Consuls for 1-2 years, are generally expected to retire. Former Consuls (now called "Proconsuls") are typically given other prestigious jobs within the Imperial bureaucracy, such as governing a province, commanding a legion, or administering some other aspect of the Empire (finance minster, foreign diplomat, and the like).
If present, the Emperor presides over Senate meetings, flanked on either side by the two Consuls. While in session, Senators may speak, request action by the senate, and ask questions of one another. The Senate also has the power to try cases of high treason against the Empire, although they will often defer such cases to the Emperor (or allow them to be tried by the governor of a Province). Order of speech in the Senate goes by rank, with the older and more experienced Senators speaking first, and the youngest/least experienced speaking last.
Senators are entitled to wear a white toga with a thick purple border, and a gold ring bearing the SPQR insignia.
Structure
- Emperor - The official head of the Senate. Technically the Emperor does not vote in Senate proceedings.
- Consul Prior - Senior Consul. Usually served last year as Consul Posterior, and is now in the senior role. Term of office = 1 year.
- Consul Posterior - Junior Consul. Usually serving in the first year as consul. May be appointed to a 2nd year as Consul Prior, at the Emperor's discretion.
- Senator - An ordinary voting member of the Senate. May be appointed Consul by the Emperor.
History
Although records from that time are nearly nonexistent, according to Roman legend, the Senate was implemented by Romulus shortly after he founded Rome on Palatine Hill. Romulus and Remus had been co-leaders of a tribal coalition, but after Remus was killed in the battle that founded the Eternal City, the people named Romulus their King. Romulus then instituted the Senate as an advisory council, which was originally composed of the head of each major family among the tribes. These families became the first Patricians among the Romans. The Senate functioned as a privy council to the first Kings of Rome. Then, in AUC 298, when the last, corrupt king (whose name has been lost to the mists of time) was supposedly overthrown by popular revolt, and the Republic was founded, the Senate became the ruling body of Rome, under the guidance of paired Consuls. After Augustus became Emperor in AUC 1049, the Senate's role once again became primarily advisory, with real power residing in the person of the Emperor.
Senatus Populusque Romanus
The Senate and People of Rome
Founding Date
AUC 1
Head of Government
Government System
Democracy, Representative
Location
Related Ethnicities
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