The Roman Senate and the post-Sullan <i>res publica</i>

Abstract

This article assesses the significance of the modifications to Sulla’s constitution introduced during the 70s. It argues the post-Sullan senate was in effect divided into two groups, those who sought and held imperium-bearing magistracies and those who did not: the latter group’s experience of senatorial status was of jury service and senatorial debate. The 70s seemed to mark the decisive triumph of the former group within the Senate, but as the membership of the Senate remained unchanged the Senate’s overall weakness within the res publica persisted.