Editing Roman Republic (section)

===Magistrates===
{{Main|Executive magistrates of the Roman Republic}}
Each republican magistrate held certain [[Executive magistrates of the Roman Republic#Powers|constitutional powers]]. Each was assigned a {{lang|la|provincia}} by the Senate. This was the scope of that particular office holder's authority. It could apply to a geographic area or to a particular responsibility or task.{{sfn|Lintott|1999a|p=101}} The powers of a magistrate came from the people of Rome (both plebeians and patricians).{{sfn|Lintott|1999a|p=95}} {{lang|la|Imperium}} was held by both consuls and praetors. Strictly speaking, it was the authority to command a military force, but in reality, it carried broad authority in other public spheres, such as diplomacy and the justice system. In extreme cases, those with the imperium power could sentence Roman Citizens to death. All magistrates also had the power of {{lang|la|coercitio}} (coercion). Magistrates used this to maintain public order by imposing punishment for crimes.{{sfn|Lintott|1999a|p=97}} Magistrates also had both the power and the duty to look for omens. This power could also be used to obstruct political opponents.

One check on a magistrate's power was {{lang|la|collega}} (collegiality). Each magisterial office was held concurrently by at least two people. Another such check was {{lang|la|provocatio}}. While in Rome, all citizens were protected from coercion, by {{lang|la|provocatio}}, an early form of [[due process]]. It was a precursor to {{lang|la|[[habeas corpus]]}}. If any magistrate tried to use the powers of the state against a citizen, that citizen could appeal the magistrate's decision to a tribune. In addition, once a magistrate's one-year term of office expired, he would have to [[Cursus honorum|wait ten years]] before serving in that office again. This created problems for some consuls and praetors, and these magistrates occasionally had their {{lang|la|imperium}} extended. In effect, they retained the powers of the office (as a [[promagistrate]]) without officially holding that office.{{sfn|Lintott|1999a|p=113}}

In times of military emergency, a [[Roman dictator|dictator]] was appointed for a term of six months.{{sfn|Byrd|1995|p=24}} Constitutional government was dissolved, and the dictator was the absolute master of the state. When the dictator's term ended, constitutional government was restored.

The [[Roman censor|censor]] was a [[magistrate]] in ancient Rome who was responsible for maintaining the [[census]], supervising [[public morality]], and overseeing certain aspects of the government's finances.<ref>Suolahti, J. (1963) ''The Roman Censors: A Study on Social Structure'' (Helsinki)</ref> The power of the censor was absolute: no magistrate could oppose his decisions, and only another censor who succeeded him could cancel those decisions. The censor's regulation of public morality is the origin of the modern meaning of the words ''censor'' and ''censorship''.<ref>{{Cite dictionary |title=censorship |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/censorship |dictionary=etymonline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012204633/https://www.etymonline.com/word/censorship |archive-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> During the census, they could enroll citizens in the senate or purge them from the senate.{{sfn|Byrd|1995|p=26}}

The [[Roman consul|consuls]] of the Roman Republic were the highest-ranking ordinary magistrates. Each served for one year.{{sfn|Byrd|1995|p=20}} Consular powers included the kings' former {{lang|la|imperium}} and appointment of new senators. Consuls had supreme power in both civil and military matters. While in the city of Rome, the consuls were the head of the Roman government. They presided over the senate and the assemblies. While abroad, each consul commanded an army.{{sfn|Byrd|1995|p=179}} His authority abroad was nearly absolute.

Since the tribunes were considered the embodiment of the plebeians, they were [[sacrosanct]]. Their sacrosanctity was enforced by a pledge the plebeians took to kill anyone who harmed or interfered with a tribune during his term of office. It was a capital offence to harm a tribune, disregard his veto, or otherwise interfere with him.{{sfn|Byrd|1995|p=23}}

[[Praetor]]s administered civil law{{sfn|Byrd|1995|p=32}} and commanded provincial armies. [[Aediles]] were officers elected to conduct domestic affairs in Rome, such as managing public games and shows. The [[quaestor]]s usually assisted the consuls in Rome, and the governors in the provinces. Their duties were often financial.