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

[tlclark]

I stand corrected on that point

No problem - it's usually me making the errors!

Actually the original error was mine, so thanks for the understanding. I was being overly general and you caught my omission of a zero on the 100,00 sesterciis. Thanks.

Actually, it occurs to me that the situation of the senate towards the end of the empire in the west might well have been more like Travis describes it above - from what I remember of AHM Jones' 'Later Roman Empire' anyway. By the mid 4th century, the cursus honorum had become pretty much a birthright for the sons of senatorial families - some were 'elected' quaestor in their early teens, for instance.

That's correct. There was some of this in the earlier period but the senate is much more pro formata in the later period, you're right. Again, that's my confusion. Sorry. Thanks for the correction.

Travis