What was the role of the consuls in the Roman Republic?

Responses

They were common citizens.

They were common citizens.

They were the most powerful government body and served for life.

They were the most powerful government body and served for life.

They represented the common people.

They represented the common people.

They acted as the chief executives of government.

1 answer

In the Roman Republic, the consuls acted as the chief executives of the government. Each year, two consuls were elected to serve a one-year term, and they held significant authority, including commanding the army, presiding over the Senate, and executing laws. They were not common citizens, nor did they serve for life; instead, their power was balanced by the fact that no single consul could rule unilaterally, as both had to agree on decisions. Additionally, they were not representatives of the common people in the same way as tribunes were; rather, they came from the patrician or wealthier classes.