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The office of dictator was established in 501BC, in the early days of the Roman Republic, with the appointment of Titus Lartius Flavus as the first dictator.

A dictator was an extraordinary executive officer of state. The term dictator did not have the negative connotation it has now and did not imply despotism. The dictator was appointed by one of the consuls (the two annually elected heads of the Republic) at times of emergency with a very specific mandate which was established by senatorial decree. His term of office was six months. Usually he was appointed to deal with a military emergency when there was a need for the army to be commanded by one man (normally the two annually elected consuls were both commanders of the army) or to be commanded by a man with better military leaderships skills. During the Second Punic War eight men were appointed for the purpose of holding the election of the next consuls (Comitiorum habendorum causa) and one man was appointed for the purpose of enrolling new senators (Senatus legendi causa) when many of them died at the battle of Cannae. Prior to the Second Punic War a dictator had been appointed to hold the election of the consuls twelve times. One dictator was appointed to suppress a rebellion (Seditionis sedandae causa).

As an extraordinary officer of state, the dictator was not legally liable for his actions and had an absolute authority which went beyond that of the consuls who were ordinary officers of state and had legal liability for their actions. A dictator could overrule or depose and sentence to death other officers of state. He could rule by decree and change any law, but these lasted only for his term of office. He could also issue new laws without the popular assembly's vote, but these were usually put through a vote. He could punish without trial and was exempt from appeal. He could act without consulting the senate, but he usually did. This practice was stopped (with the exception of two instances in the second Punic war) after the wars in Italy because it was feared that a man with such great power would be dangerous if he was far from Rome. It was replaced by the Senatus consultum ultimum, a senatorial emergency decree that allowed the consuls to act as they saw fit and, at times, and to re-elect the same consul was the emergency was protracted, as with Gaius Marius who was elected consul five consecutive times (105-100 BC) to deal with barbarian invasions.

The only exception to the rule that there could only one dictator was in 216 BC after the battle of Cannae during the Second Punic War. Marcus Fabius Buteo was appointed dictator with the mentioned mandate of enrolling new senators. He was appointed because he was the oldest surviving former censor (an officer of state who kept the roll of senators and enrolled new senators). He resigned as soon as he finished revising the roll and enlisting the new senators. The other dictator, Marcus Junius Pera, was appointed with the mandate to fight Hannibal's army and served the full six months of this office.

There were only two exceptions to the six month term of office. Sulla was appointed dictator (legibus faciendis et reipublicae constituendae causa, (for the making of laws and the settling of the constitution) at the end of his civil war against Marius (82 BC) with an unspecified term of office. He had thousands of his political opponents executed and resigned after one year. This gave the Dictatorship a bad name. In 53 BC, the senate, mindful of Sulla' precedent, appointed Pompey sole consul instead of dictator, to deal with domestic unrest. This made him accountable for his actions at the end of his office. Julius Caesar was appointed dictator four times. The second time he held the office for one year, the third time he was given a 10-year term and the fourth time he was appointed for life.

During the 482 years of the republic a dictator was appointed 88 times. In total 75 men were appointed dictators.

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Who made himself dictator in anicent rome?

No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.


When did sulla become dictator of rome?

Sulla became dictator of Rome in either the very end of 82 BC or at the start of 81 BC. He resigned the office at the end of 81 BC.


What year did Julius become a dictator?

The office of dictator in ancient Rome was usually only for six months. However if the problem was not solved in that time the senate could renew it for another six months and keep on renewing it until the crisis was resolved. In the case of Julius Caesar though, the senate made him dictator and renewed the office and eventually named him a perpetual dictator or a dictator for life.


That Julius Caesar was right to declare himself dictator of rome?

Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.


Julius Caesar Became the first roman dictator in 48 BC?

assassinatedFlavus was the first designated dictator. Dictator was a temporary office created in times of national emergency, when the country was under martial law. Cincinnatus famously was summoned from his plowing and, once the crisis was over, resigned the dictatorship, and returned to his plow. There are over forty dictators listed in Roman archives. However, Julius Caesar is the only one created Dictator in Perpetuus. Following Caesar's assassination, his heir, Octavius, became the Emperor of Rome, known as Caesar Augustus, although his official title was Princeps.

Related Questions

Was the dictator included in the roman monarchy?

No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.No, although a king could be considered a dictator of sorts. The office of dictator in ancient Rome was a republican office which was bestowed upon certain men in times of crises with the agreement of the senate.


Who made himself dictator in anicent rome?

No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.No one. No one could make himself dictator in ancient Rome. The office of dictator was granted to a man by the senate. It was a legitimate political position under the Roman republic.


What is julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a man who was in the First Triumvirate of Rome. He also was the first dictator of Rome. A correction here. Julius Caesar was not the first dictator of Rome. There were 78 men who held the office of dictator before Caesar.


When did sulla become dictator of rome?

Sulla became dictator of Rome in either the very end of 82 BC or at the start of 81 BC. He resigned the office at the end of 81 BC.


When was the Post Office established in Rome Oregon?

1909


What year did Julius become a dictator?

The office of dictator in ancient Rome was usually only for six months. However if the problem was not solved in that time the senate could renew it for another six months and keep on renewing it until the crisis was resolved. In the case of Julius Caesar though, the senate made him dictator and renewed the office and eventually named him a perpetual dictator or a dictator for life.


That Julius Caesar was right to declare himself dictator of rome?

Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.Julius Caesar did not declare himself dictator of Rome. The senate declared him dictator according to Roman law.


What was unusual about the office of roman dictator?

The Roman office of dictator was unusual by the fact that it was a delegation of supreme power to one man. The reason that the Romans established the republic in the first place was to avoid rule by a single person and the appointment of a dictator seemed to contradict this principle.


What was the Dictator of Rome called?

Julius Caesar and Mussolini have been described as "The Dictator of Rome"


He declared himself dictator?

No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.No one declared himself dictator. The office of dictator could only be granted by the senate.


Julius Caesar Became the first roman dictator in 48 BC?

assassinatedFlavus was the first designated dictator. Dictator was a temporary office created in times of national emergency, when the country was under martial law. Cincinnatus famously was summoned from his plowing and, once the crisis was over, resigned the dictatorship, and returned to his plow. There are over forty dictators listed in Roman archives. However, Julius Caesar is the only one created Dictator in Perpetuus. Following Caesar's assassination, his heir, Octavius, became the Emperor of Rome, known as Caesar Augustus, although his official title was Princeps.


Who was dictator of rome in 44bc?

Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.Julius Caesar was dictator of Rome in 44 BC.