Definition: Following the expulsion of the kings of Rome, the Romans invented a new leadership position that was a limited term of absolute power. This new position, the consulship, was split between two men and limited to a term of a year.
These 2 top magistrates known as consuls were elected each year by the Comitia centuriata. They were responsible for war, justice, and finance. Later, subordinate magistrates known as quaestors took over some of their functions. Each consul could negate the other and they were supposed to heed the advice of the Senate.
Consuls had military power and following the end of their term in office could look forward to governing a province as proconsul, a position that tended to be lucrative. Julius Caesar, as proconsul, waged military campaigns in Gaul.
Consuls continued during the imperial period, but their power and term in office decreased.
