Expert: Maria - 12/3/2008

Question
Dear Maria,

Do you know how many Roman Consuls were previously lawyers?  

Thanks,

Jake

Answer
Hello,

Among Roman consuls who were previously lawyers I can certainly quote Cicero, ‘consul designatus’, i.e ‘elected consul for the year 63 BC’. He was in fact the most important Roman orator and lawyer.

As for other lawyers who became consuls, please note that from 509 BC, when Lucius Iunius Brutus and Tarquinius Collatinus became the first consuls of the Roman Republic,  until 27 BC when there is the beginning of the Roman Empire as  the Roman Senate gave Gaius Octavius the name Augustus and he became the undisputed emperor, we have so many consuls that had  been previously generals, not lawyers.

In short, I'm sorry, but there is no response to such a quiz!

Best regards,
Maria