consuls

consuls (Lat. consules), at Rome under the republic, the supreme civil and military magistrates (originally called praetors, praetores, perhaps, until the reforms of the decemvirs in 451 BC), two in number with equal powers (see COLLEGIUM 1). Consuls were elected annually by the people, but as the candidates were required to be senators their choice was restricted (see SENATE). After about the middle of the fourth century BC one consul was always plebeian. The consuls' power was in course of time reduced by the creation of new magistracies, notably the censorship (see CENSORS). The chief functions retained by the consuls were those of military command. Later they received as ‘proconsuls’ an extension of their authority after the termination of their year of office, to enable them to carry on a military command or govern a province (see PROCONSUL). In the Roman calendar the years were dated by naming the consuls. Under the emperors the consulship increasingly became a mainly honorary office; consuls were generally appointed for no more than two to four months, only those who entered office on 1 January giving their name to the year. The consuls retained some judicial functions and introduced legal cases before the senate. See CURSUS HONORUM and IMPERIUM.

A consul suffectus was appointed to succeed a consul unable to complete his term of office, or, under the emperors, appointed after the term of eponymous consul (see above) had expired.