Rome’s Greatest Prize
Once every year, the overcrowded streets of Rome would see its hustle and bustle brought to even greater heights. To the people of Rome, the increasing energy within the city could only mean one thing – election season had arrived. Patrons would begin to call on their clients, gatherings would be held across the city, and potential candidates would bring out their specially whitened toga for the occasion. To the political elite of the Roman Republic, the election season offered them the chance to compete for the greatest prize of all within Roman society – the Consulship. Through victory at the polls, eternal glory could be won by the victor, with even the year itself deriving its name from the two Consuls elected. However, as we shall see, convincing the electorate was less a case of talent and political manoeuvring, and more down to upper class snobbery and prestige. The Executive Branch At a glance, the Consulship was similar to a modern day president or ...