What was the role of the consul in the Roman Republic?
Consuls, however, were in a very real sense the heads of state. They commanded the army, convened and presided over the Senate and the popular assemblies and executed their decrees, and represented the state in foreign affairs.
What made the city of Rome easy to defend?
Rome was located on seven steep hills near the Tiber River, a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea. How was Rome’s location good for defense? Because it was built on steep hills that were easily defended.
How did the Roman army protect themselves?
Legionaries were trained to thrust with their gladii because they could defend themselves behind their large shields (scuta) while stabbing the enemy. These training exercises began with thrusting a wooden gladius and throwing wooden pila into a quintain (wooden dummy or stake) while wearing full armour.
What is the name of the Roman consul responsible for urging Rome into war with the Carthaginians?
Victor of the Cimbric and Jugurthine wars, he held the office of consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies….
| Gaius Marius | |
|---|---|
| Office | Tribune of the plebs (119 BC) Consul (107, 104–100, 86 BC) |
| Opponent(s) | Sulla |
| Spouse(s) | Julia (aunt of Julius Caesar) |
How were consuls elected in the Roman Republic?
The two men were elected by the Comitia centuriata, an assembly of the people in which the richest Romans were in the majority. The consuls served for only one year (to prevent corruption) and could only rule when they agreed, because each consul could veto the other one’s decision.
What powers did consuls have?
In times of peace, a consul would serve as the highest magistrate, arbitrator, and law maker within Roman society. They had the authority to convene the Roman Senate – the main chamber of government – and served as the republic’s supreme diplomats, often meeting with foreign ambassadors and emissaries.
How did the Roman government maintain control over conquered territories?
The Roman government maintained control over conquered territories using the strength of its military, political system, and economy.
How did Building Rome on a hill provide defense for the city?
Building the city on high ground forced any attacking army to fight its way uphill, giving the defending forces a major advantage. The Romans understood this advantage and built fortresses on top of several of the hills.
How did the Romans fight in battle?
Roman soldiers usually lined up for battle in a tight formation. After a terrifying burst of arrows and artillery, the Roman soldiers marched at a slow steady pace towards the enemy. At the last minute, they hurled their javelins and drew their swords, before charging into the enemy.
How did the Roman army help the Romans build their empire?
The Roman Empire was powerful, due to its strong military tactics. Roman military policies helped to expand the empire. The soldiers were trained in the latest tactics of war and were well equipped with the weapons of war. As the Roman Empire grew, the army consisted of many men captured during the wars.
Who were the Roman Praetorian guards?
The Praetorian Guard (cohortes praetoriae) was, in the Roman Republic, a commander’s personal bodyguard and then, in the imperial period, an elite force assigned to protect the emperor and Rome.
What was Sulla known for?
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix (/ˈsʌlə/; 138–78 BC), commonly known as Sulla, was a Roman general and statesman. He won the first large-scale civil war in Roman history, and became the first man of the republic to seize power through force.
What was the role of the consul in the Roman Empire?
Roman consul. However, after the establishment of the Empire (27 BC), the consuls became mere symbolic representatives of Rome’s republican heritage and held very little power and authority, with the Emperor acting as the supreme authority.
How long was the term of office for a Roman consul?
Each year, the citizens of Rome elected two consuls to serve jointly for a one-year term. The consuls alternated in holding imperium each month, and a consul’s imperium extended over Rome, Italy, and the provinces.
What was the role of a proconsul in ancient Rome?
Beginning in the late Republic, after finishing a consular year, a former consul would usually serve a lucrative term as a proconsul, the Roman Governor of one of the (senatorial) provinces. The most commonly chosen province for the proconsulship was Cisalpine Gaul .
Why did Rome become a republic in 181 BC?
Following the expulsion of the kings of Rome, Rome became a Republic, with a new type of leader. For this purpose, the Romans invented the new position of consul (by 181 B.C., limited to men of at least 43 years of age).