Magistrates of the Roman Empire

During the transition from republic to empire, the constitutional balance of power shifted back to the executive (the Roman Emperor).

[1] In theory at least, the tribunician powers (which were similar to those of the Plebeian Tribunes under the old republic) gave the emperor authority over Rome's civil government, while the proconsular powers (similar to those of military governors, or Proconsuls, under the old republic) gave him authority over the Roman army.

While these distinctions were clearly defined during the early empire, eventually they were lost, and the emperor's powers became less constitutional and more monarchical.

Mark Antony abolished the offices of Roman Dictator and Magister equitum ("Master of the Horse") during his Consulship in 44 BC, shortly after the assassination of Julius Caesar.

[4] In 22 BC the emperor Augustus appointed P. Aemilius Lepidus and L. Munatius Plancus to the Censorship, and while they began a census that year, they never completed it, and shortly thereafter the office was abolished.

By virtue of his proconsular powers, the emperor held the same grade of military command authority as did the chief magistrates (the Roman Consuls and Proconsuls) under the republic.

Since republican Proconsuls had often held their authority for extended periods of time, the prolonged use of this power by the emperor did have precedent.

As part of the census, the emperor had the power to grant citizenship to any individual, and to assign individuals to a new social class (the three imperial classes were the senators, the equestrians, and the plebeians), which, therefore, gave the emperor unchallenged control over senate membership.

[10] The emperor also had the power to interpret laws and to set precedents, which he did by issuing either an edicta, decreta, or a rescripta.

[12] The aerarium militare was of minor importance, and its only significant function was to hold funds that were to be used to pay soldiers.

After they served as Quaestor, they had to wait for at least one year before they could seek election to a higher office, which was usually either the Plebeian Tribunate or the Aedileship.

In addition, the fact that one had to be nominated by the emperor before they could run for any office weakened the independence, and thus the prestige, of the Consulship.

Imperial Consuls could preside over the senate, could act as judges in certain criminal trials, and had control over public games and shows.

Under the empire, the Plebeian Tribunes remained sacrosanct,[15] and, in theory at least, retained the power to summon, or to veto, the senate and the assemblies.

It wasn't until after they lost the power to maintain order in the city, however, that they truly became powerless, and the office disappeared entirely during the 3rd century.