Senate, Roman

views updated May 23 2018

Senate, Roman Chief governing body of the Roman republic. It originated as a royal council under the early kings. By the 2nd century bc, it controlled all matters of policy. Senators were chosen for life by the censors and at first were mainly former consuls. They numbered 300, raised to 600 under Sulla, to 900 by Caesar, and reduced to 600 under Augustus. Plebeians gained entry in the 4th century bc. Under the Empire, the Emperor's control of military and civil officials gradually restricted the Senate to judicial matters and to the city government in Rome. Under the late Empire, senatorial status was extended on a massive scale to the landowning élite.