- Under the Roman Republic (509-27 BCE), two Consuls were elected every year to rule Rome.
- Under the Roman Empire (27 BCE-476 CE), the city of Rome was governed by a Mayor and four other Prefects who were subject to the Emperor. However, the system of appointing Consuls continued until the end of the Empire, but they had no power.
The Consuls of Rome
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- Two Consuls were elected annually during the Roman Republic and shared the leadership of the Republic. They were the Highest Legal Authority in Roman Law.
- The Consuls were the Supreme Commanders of the Roman Army and were given two Legions each in the event of War. They could Veto Decisions made by any other Magistrate or by the Praetor Urbanus.
- Under the Roman Empire (27 BCE-476 CE), two Consuls continued to be appointed, but it was an honorary position with no real power.
Five Prefects established under Augustus:
- Praefectus Urbanus (Urbi):
- The Mayor of Rome: He was in charge of the City of Ancient Rome, the Harbours of Ostia and Portus, and up to 100 mile radius of Rome.
- He was the most senior Senator, and presided over the Roman Senate.
- He governed through several officials called an Aedile in charge of:
- the Sewars, the Water supply and Drainage of the Tiber.
- He governed the Argentarii (Bankers).
- He presided over the Courts of Law.
- He governed the Cohortes Urbanae (Urban Cohorts).
- Beneath him were the following Prefects:
- Praefectus Vigilum:
- In charge of Ancient Rome’s 4 Cohorts of Fire Brigades.
- He was also in charge of 3 Cohorts of Police to oversee Ancient Rome.
- These Cohorts shared the Castra Praetoria.
- He was responsible for 2 of the 14 regions of the city of Rome.
- Praefectus Annonae Urbis:
- He was in charge of the Annona Civica.
- This was the Grain supply to the City of Ancient Rome.
- It was run by the Frumentarii from the Statio Annonae (Office of Public Provisions).
- It’s columns are preserved in the Church of Santa Maria, Cosmedin.
- Praefectus Vehiculum:
- He was in charge of the Public roads.
- He imposed the Roman Highway Code.
- A Daytime curfew existed: all goods in Rome had to be moved at night.
- Praefectus Aerarii Saturni:
- 2 Prefects in charge of the State Treasury.
Other Prefects
- Praefectus Praetori:
- 2 Praefects In charge of the Praetorian Guard – the Emperor’s own Guard and
administration of Justice – No 2 in the Roman Empire after the Emperor.
- 2 Praefects In charge of the Praetorian Guard – the Emperor’s own Guard and
- Praefectus Annona Militaris:
- In charge of the Annona Militaris.
- This was the Grain supply to the Legions in the Empire.
Grain ships from all over the empire arrived at Portus and cargoes were transferred up the Tiber to the Granaries.
- Pontifex Maximus:
- Head of all the Priests. After Augustus, this position was incorporated in to the
Emperor’s Titles and Duties.
- Head of all the Priests. After Augustus, this position was incorporated in to the
Legal Status of the City of Ancient Rome
Tax Free Status of the City of Ancient Rome and Italy
- The city of Ancient Rome and Italy also had a Tax free status, and individuals were not taxed, unlike in the Roman Provinces.
Police Force of Ancient Rome
Fire Brigade of Ancient Rome
Districts of Ancient Rome
- In 7 BCE Augustus divided Rome into 14 Districts from the 4 Quarters that had been established under Servius Tullius (578-535 BCE), the sixth King of Rome.
- These Regions were then subdivided into neighbourhoods known as ‘vici’:
- I Porta Capena
- II Caelimontium
- III Isis et Serapis
- IV Templum Pacis
- V Esquiliae
- VI Alta Semita
- VII Via Lata
- VIII Forum Romanum
- IX Circus Flaminius
- X Palatium
- XI Circus Maximus
- XII Piscina Publica
- XIII Aventinus
- XIV Transtiberim (Trastevere today)
Rome