Stage 37 Culture

The council (#1-4) O Aka consiliumO Aka amici principis

O Helps emperor deal with workload and keep the favor of the people

O Invited by the emperor, it was not a fixed membership

typically senators or equites

New emperor means… (#5)O New consilium – want to pack the

audience with yes men

Even though emperor has final say, he wants to keep up the appearance of the Republic

Advice Needed (#6)O Matters varied greatly

help during crisisWhat to do about the famine?help on delicate matters Who will be my heir?advice on foreign affairsShould we invade Germany?advice on local issues How much should we tax?Should we find them guilty?

Council Speaks (#7-10)O Members offer their sententiae

(opinions)O In theory, members could speak freely O In practice, under some emperors, it was

dangerous to disagree with the emperorO Emperor may deliberate alone or make

split decisionO Emperor not bound by opinions of

consilium, and can ignore it (but he needs to keep people happy)

Cursus Honorum

The ladder of success (#1-4)O Men in the senatorial class compete

with each other for official positions O While climbing up, his status and

responsibilities increase. O Some positions are mandatory and

are prerequisite for other positionsO Some positions had age restrictions

suo anno – gain the position in earliest year possible

Gaining positions (#4)O Some officials were chosen by the

emperor

O Others elected by the senate (but emperor puts in his own opinion)

O Emperor can grant special permission for a man to skip a step on the ladder

Bottom - vigintivirO 1 yr termO Help in management of law courts

and prisonsO Minting of Roman coinage

Tribunus militumO Serve as an officer in the legionO Typically 1 year

QuaestorO Management of public moneyO 1 year O This position resulted into entry into

the senate

Tribunus plebis or aedile

TribunusO 1 of 10O Originally act as

helpers to plebsO Lost most power

by empire

Aedile1 of 6Keep up public buildingsAid in putting on entertainment

PraetorO Run law courtsO Now eligible for positions abroad

(pro-praetorships) – e.g. – govern a province, command a legion (praefectus)

Top - Consul O 2 men O Preside over senate meetingsO Supervise government businessO Ex-consuls govern most important

provincesO Novus homo – 1st member of family

to make it to consulship

Cream Rises to the Top (#7)

O Not all men made it to consulO Lets emperor see the best menO Gives men opportunity to show their

skill set

Agricola – good with soldiers

Tribunus militum in BritainQuaestor in AsiaTribunus plebisPraetorLegatusPro-praetor of AquitaniaConsulPro-praetor of Britain

Pliny - good with money

VigintivirTribunum militum in SyriaQuaestor in RomeTribunus plebisPraetorPraefectus aerarii militumPraefectus aerarii SaturniiConsulAugur priesthoodCurator TiberisLegatus Augusti