Official in Ancient Rome and his credentials

Few people know that most of the terms that denote the modern system of government, originates from ... Ancient Rome. Powers with a developed system of control have been before in the ancient era - for example, Egypt, China, Greece. However, the monarchical system completely subordinated officials to the will of the pharaoh or the king, and democracy in ancient Greece was limited only to the limits of the policy (city and adjacent area). In the era of the formation of the Republic, the question arose about the distribution of managerial functions between elected representatives from the aristocracy and the people (the plebs), as well as the delegation of authority and their restriction. It was at this time that the term "official" appeared - a concept very close to us in its meaning.

In Russian, this word is associated with the word "debt". But, unlike the "debtor", the concepts "office" and "official" bear a positive connotation. A person in rank is a representative of the state in a certain area, limited by his powers and personifying power. The scale of ranks in the bureaucratic apparatus has its own vertical (from the superior, to the deputies and to various advisers and assistants), as well as the horizontal (when equal representatives of power can suspend and cancel decisions of their colleagues).

An official in ancient Rome was elected only from freely born men (a freedman could not be elected, and his son already could), reached a certain age. Not only that to each rank there was a minimum age of entry into the powers carefully prescribed in the laws, it also indicated the timeframe for which it could be done, the opportunity to be re-elected, and the regional boundaries to which the jurisdiction of this post was extended. For example, the power of the consuls was limited to the walls of the city, and proconsuls controlled the countryside beyond. In relation to the manager, the remaining citizens, even highly born, were privati-people private, subordinates.

It was in Rome and the highest official, called the "Imperium", the Supreme Power - "potestas" - passed him from the kings of the Republican period. The procedure for conferring such powers was spelled out in a special curial law. These ranks had the right to convene the Senate and the Comitia (the people's congress), make their own bills, and make reports. When the country was in danger, for a while they elected a dictator, to whom all the supreme power was transferred. This person had the right to govern the country solely. Often, his title was added to the goal of election - for example, "The dictator because of the war." Some elected to extraordinary posts proclaimed themselves lifelong stewards (Cornelius Sulla, Gaius Julius Caesar). This post was abolished only by Marcus Aurelius. By the way, such powers were vested in officials not only for the time of danger looming over the country. "The dictator of driving a nail" - the so-called post of manager during religious festivities.

The official during the period of the Republic did not receive a salary. It was an honorary title. To each rank there corresponded a certain toga - it was kept by the owner and after leaving the post, in it they buried him. Some posts increased the whole family in social rank - the sons of those who were in the kurul ranks were considered aristocrats; Himself the bearer of this title became the ancestor of his name, his waxed death mask was kept and honored by descendants. Also, dignitaries had allotted seats in the lodges in amphitheatres. Starting with the quaestors, the people who left office had the right to be elected to the Senate.

While in the service of the Republic, the official was limited to the right of appeal and appeal. A petition for review of the decision could be submitted to the people's assembly, the Senate or an equal colleague of the manager. Chines could be permanent, not limited by the validity period, although for many posts people were appointed for no more than 36 months. To such posts belong praetors, consuls, quaestors, aediles and censors. With the exception of popular tribunes, such places in ancient Rome were mainly claimed by families of aristocrats. Their career was predictable: youth in the rank of officer of the legion, then in 27 years the post of quaestor, in 37 - edila, in 40 - praetor, in 43 - consul or censor.