The Senate of Imperial Rome: Sessions. Meeting places and the interior of the curia julia ; Attendance ; The emperor in the Senate ; Routine ; Procedure ; Procedural change in the second century ; Records and their use

Richard J. A. Talbert examines the composition, procedure, and functions of the Roman senate during the Principate (30 B.C.-A.D. 238). Although it is of central importance to the period, this great council has not previously received such scholarly treatment. Offering a fresh approach to major ancient authors (Pliny and Tacitus in particular), the book also draws on inscriptions and legal writers never before fully exploited for the study of the senate. This political history shows the significance of the Roman Senate and its viability as a part of the governing empire during the Imperial period. Frontmatter LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS (page xi) PREFACE (page xiii) ABBREVIATIONS (page xv) INTRODUCTION (page 3) Part One. The Corporate Body CHAPTER 1. THE SENATE (page 9) CHAPTER 2. SENATORS (page 39) Part Two. Sessions CHAPTER 3. MEETING PLACES AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CURIA JULIA (page 113) CHAPTER 4. ATTENDANCE (page 131) CHAPTER 5. THE EMPEROR IN THE SENATE (page 163) CHAPTER 6. ROUTINE (page 185) CHAPTER 7. PROCEDURE (page 221) CHAPTER 8. PROCEDURAL CHANGE IN THE SECOND CENTURY (page 290) CHAPTER 9. RECORDS AND THEIR USE (page 303) Part Three. Functions CHAPTER 10. ELECTIONS AND THE LOT (page 341) CHAPTER 11. IMPERIAL POWERS AND OTHER HONORS (page 354) CHAPTER 12. THE SENATE'S ROLE IN ADMINISTRATION (page 372) CHPATER 13. THE SENATE'S ROLE IN ADMINISTRATION (CONTINUED) (page 392) CHAPTER 14. DIPLOMACY, THE ARMY, AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS (page 408) CHAPTER 15. SENATORIAL LEGISLATION (page 431) CHAPTER 16. THE SENATORIAL COURT (page 460) CHAPTER 17. CONCLUSION: THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE SENATE (page 488) APPENDICES (page 493) EXTENDED NOTES (page 513) INFORMATION FOR NON-SPECIALIST READERS (page 521) BIBLIOGRAPHY (page 531) INDEX OF ANCIENT SOURCES (page 551) GENERAL INDEX (page 565) Pt. 1. The Corporate Body. The Senate ; Senators -- Pt. 2. Sessions. Meeting Places And The Interior Of The Curia Julia ; Attendance ; The Emperor In The Senate ; Routine ; Procedure ; Procedural Change In The Second Century ; Records And Their Use -- Pt. 3. Functions. Elections And The Lot ; Imperial Powers And Other Honors ; The Senate's Role In Administration ; The Senate's Role In Administration (continued) ; Diplomacy, The Army, And Foreign Affairs ; Senatorial Legislation ; The Senatorial Court ; Conclusion: The Changing Role Of The Senate. Richard J.a. Talbert. Includes Indexes. Bibliography: P. [531]-550.