Cursus honorum

The cursus honorum (career of honor) was the political career in Rome. You had to move from the lowest office up to the highest office (consul). Their were strict rules and conditions to be a magistrate. But as the title says, the cursus honorum was meant to be honorable. The result:the magistrate had to pay all his costs during his term of office ( The government should pay it now) A magistrate was of course a member of the senate.

The hierarchy is ranked from the lowest to the highest office

1. Qaestor: Minimum age: 31
            he had to collect money (Quaerere means to seek, to collect       
            Amount: 2 in the begining, 20 in the late republic

2. Aedilus:Minimum age: 37
           public games, distribution of food, police, fireman

3. Praetor: minimum age: 41
            judge 
           

4. Consul: minimum age: 45
           president of the senate, general
           
(5. Dictator)