Princeps senatus

The princeps senatus (Latin, German as first Senate, plural principes senatus ) was during the Roman Republic a very respected member of the Senate.

The princeps senatus was not the chair of the Roman Senate, which each present the highest ranking magistrate, usually a Consul presided, but he was of the opinion leaders of the committee. In general, the princeps senatus was a former Consul, often a former censor, who had particularly great prestige and was therefore asked first for his opinion. He was selected from among the patrician senators with consular rank. The most important official function was in first place in the formal vote of the senators. With its vote ( sententia ) of the princeps senatus could affect the lower-ranking senators. Even otherwise, he might have had a large, but not formally tangible influence in the Senate.

Although it had no office in the cursus was honorum and no imperium, this feature brought the owner a high reputation and was an expression of auctoritas. The position was taken over on an interim basis at the beginning of the term of office of the censors of them, they could either confirm the previous princeps, appoint the senior censor or another censor.

The typical tasks of a modern parliamentary speaker, such as the opening and closing sessions of the Senate, setting the agenda and the meeting place, the observance of these Rules, etc. was responsible, officially the officer who convened the Senate, but again could be the princeps senatus by have had his auctoritas participation opportunities. The position of princeps senatus is occupied by the 3rd century BC to the time of Sulla. Emperor Pertinax was the republican title pointedly in contrast to the absolutist regime of his predecessor Commodus. Even in late antiquity was awarded the title of senators Quintus Aurelius Symmachus as; at that time there was talk alternatively from caput senatus ( " head of the Senate "). Under this designation, the position is occupied the Great still under Theodoric.

Incomplete list of principes senatus the Republic

Roman magistrate Roman consul Cursus honorum Roman censor Lucius Valerius Flaccus (consul 195 BC) Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (consul 187 BC) Appius Claudius Pulcher (consul 143 BC) Lucius Valerius Flaccus (princeps senatus 86 BC) Interrex Master of the Horse Vigintisexviri Comes Dux Pontifex Maximus Imperator Pater patriae Caesar (title)
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