Stage 37 Culture

The consilium or amici Imperatoris was an official advisory body like the U.S. Cabinet. It had a set number of members, who were chosen by the Senate for a definite term.

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Members of the consilium were required by law to be members of the Roman Senate and to attend all meetings.

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It was unusual for a new Emperor to retain any members of his predecessor's consilium.

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Most Emperors considered the consilium or amici to be a nuisance and rarely consulted them.

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Emperors frequently consulted their amici about legal matters, and they were required to abide by the majority vote of the consilium.

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Both in theory and in practice, members of the amici felt free to speak their minds and to disagree openly with the Emperors they advised.

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Roman Emperors kept their workload light by referring most matters to the amici for discussion and final decisions.

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The Emperor and his amici normally only heard legal cases of extreme importance.

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The cursus honorum was a set order of the official positions which members of the senatorial class could hold in the Roman government.

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All positions on the cursus honorum were appointed directly by the Emperor; the Senate was not involved at all.

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