Whats the difference between the Roman Assemblies & the Senate?
Hi CB. This answer may appear long please forgive me but to do justice to your question, it is needed. I will start with the Senate: The Senate had roughly 300 members. In the very early days of Roman history entry to the senate was by birth or rank. Later it was the consuls who nominated new members to the senate. The Senate itself didn’t pass any laws of its own, it’s role was one of adviser.With the senate consisting entirely of former magistrates, one must consider that it was a body of vast experience and great competence. Although the senate didn’t appear to possess any defined powers, much of its power lay in customary acceptance of the senators advice on particular matters. And so foreign policy and major financial issues effectively lay firmly in the hands of the senate. The Comitia Curiata: This acted as the people’s assembly. In essence they held no real political power, but acted as a discussion forum from which the spokesmen of the ordinary people could make their voices h
