How long was a senators term of office in the late republic.

[john m roberts]

Unlike the US Senate, nobody in Rome voted for senators. Under the Sullan constitution which prevailed at the end of the Republic, one who had served in the lowest elective office, quaestor, was eligible to be a senator unless barred by the censors. He became a provisional senator until the next censors were elected and conducted their purge of the senatorial roll. If confirmed, it was for life unless he got expelled by the censors. Reasons for expulsion were debt, immorality (hah!) conduct unbecoming or, often as not, personal malice on the part of the censors. Once expelled, new censors could repeal the xpulsion, but he would have to hold another quaestorship. Sallust was expelled for multiple offenses, but was reinstated by Caesar who, as dictator, could do anything he wanted to. He made many new senators because so many had been killed in the civil war or were in exile.