What was the Roman Senate?
Q: What was the Roman Senate?
A: The Roman Senate was an institution in Ancient Rome that began in the first years of the city. It started as an advisory council of elders and reached its peak during the middle Republic, when it was the most powerful body in Rome.
Q: When did the Roman Senate begin?
A: The Roman Senate began in 753 BC, which is supposedly when Rome was founded.
Q: How long did the Roman Senate last?
A: The Roman Senate lasted from 753 BC to 476 AD, surviving through different periods such as the Kingdom (753 BC–509 BC), Republic (509 BC–27 BC), Empire (27 BC–395 AD) and fall of Western Empire (395–476 AD).
Q: What does "senate" mean?
A: The word "senate" came from 'senex' meaning "old man".
Q: How powerful was the Roman Senate at its peak?
A: At its peak during the middle Republic, the Roman Senate was considered to be most powerful body in Rome.
Q: Did this power remain throughout all periods of Ancient Rome? A: No, during the first period of Empire known as Principate, much of its power diminished. After Diocletian moved government out of Rome, it became just a municipal body.
Q: Was there a senate set up after Ancient Rome fell? A: Yes, Constantine II set up a senate in Constantinople after Ancient Rome fell.
