senatus consultum

law history

Also known as: senatus consulta

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July 13, 2026

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A senatus consultum was a decree of the ancient Roman Senate. The Senate, initially an advisory council to the king, evolved into the most enduring element of the Roman constitution. During the Roman Republic, the Senate's advice, termed senatus consultum, was directed to magistrates or the Roman people and was often implemented or submitted for enactment into law. While these decrees held no legislative force during the Republic, they gained influence and eventually became resolutions that endorsed the emperor's proposals in the early empire. The Senate's power and composition changed significantly over time, eventually disappearing from historical records in the 6th century CE.1234

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ancient Rome
The Senate of ancient Rome
…termed “the Senate’s advice” (senatus consultum). These advisory decrees were directed to a magistrate or the Roman people. In most instances, they were either implemented by a magistrate or submitted by him to the people for enactment into law.
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…termed “the Senate’s advice” (senatus consultum). These advisory decrees were directed to a magistrate or the Roman people. In most instances, they were either implemented by a magistrate or submitted by him to the people for enactment into law.
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Roman law
Written and unwritten law
…of written law was the senatus consulta, or resolutions of the Roman senate. Although these suggestions to various magistrates had no legislative force during the republic, they could be given force by the magistrates’ edicts. In the early empire, as the power of the assemblies declined and the position of…
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…of written law was the senatus consulta, or resolutions of the Roman senate. Although these suggestions to various magistrates had no legislative force during the republic, they could be given force by the magistrates’ edicts. In the early empire, as the power of the assemblies declined and the position of…
Read More