Senate Role Structure offers a comprehensive analysis of the Roman Senate, a pivotal political institution throughout Roman history. It examines not only the Senate's formal procedures and legislative function but also the persistent factionalism and internal divisions that shaped its decisions. The book reveals how external influences, such as popular assemblies, military leaders, and emperors, continuously redefined the Senate's authority, challenging simplistic views of the Senate as either all-powerful or merely symbolic. One intriguing fact is how patronage networks significantly influenced senatorial debates.
The book's approach is to dissect the procedural and legislative function of the Roman Senate across its vast history. It progresses by first outlining the Senate's formal structure, then delving into internal divisions, and finally analyzing external influences. By drawing on primary sources and modern scholarship, the book provides a balanced and nuanced perspective on the Senate's governance and political systems within the Roman Republic and Roman Empire.
Understanding the Roman Senate offers valuable insights into maintaining institutional power amid internal strife and external pressures.
