Political Structure of the Roman Republic

The Roman Senate

The Senate was an institution born in the monarchic period. It was composed of 300 patricians with life tenure. This body confirmed laws and managed matters relating to external relations, religious affairs, and territorial and military concerns. Senators were responsible for overseeing tax collection and the supervision of the consuls.

Magistrates and Executive Power

Magistrate offices were occupied by two people (collegiality), providing the right to veto each other to prevent the abuse of power. They were elected by the Assemblies and held two important powers: the power of governance (the ability to enforce laws) and the imperium (the authority to command the army and collect taxes).

Key Magistrate Roles

• Consuls: They could impose penalties and held the imperium while overseeing finances. They were eponyms, meaning they gave their name to the year they ruled. At the end of their mandate, they were required to give an account of their work.
• Praetors (Magistrates): Responsible for administering justice. There were two types: the Praetor Urbanus for citizens and the Praetor Peregrinus for foreigners.
• Censors: These officials were responsible for conducting a census every five years. They also watched over the morals and good customs of the Republic.
• Aediles (Elected Officials): There were two types: curule (seats) and plebeian (commoners). They were in charge of the police, the supply of the city, urbanization, and markets.
• Quaestors: Responsible for public finances and the treasury of the Republic. They collected taxes.
• Tribunes of the People: Their role was protecting the rights of commoners. They held the powerful right to veto.
• Dictator: A judicial office used only in cases of emergency. They concentrated all powers for a crisis period of six months.

The Roman Assemblies

The Assemblies were sets of citizens with different functions, generally advisory in nature. They included:

Types of Citizen Assemblies

• Curiate Assembly (Curiate Elections): Grouped into curiae or territorial constituencies. They governed private law and person-to-person relationships.
• Centuriate Assembly (Centuriate Elections): Grouped into centuries. They elected the consuls, praetors, and censors.
• Tribal Assembly (Tribal Elections): Grouped into tribes. They could legislate, and they chose the aediles and quaestors.
• Plebeian Council (Plebe Assembly): Composed of commoners, this body chose the tribunes of the people.