in general, is an assembly, or council, of senators; that is, of the principal inhabitants of a state, who have a share in the government.

The senate of ancient Rome is, of all others, the most celebrated: it exercised no contentious jurisdiction, but appointed judges, either from among the senators or knights, to determine processes; it also appointed governors of provinces, and disposed of the revenues of the commonwealth, &c. Yet did not the whole sovereign power reside in the senate, since it could not elect magistrates, make laws, or decide of war or peace; in all which cases the senate was obliged to consult the people.

According to Dr Middleton, the constant and regular supply of the senate, was from the annual magistrates; who, by virtue of their several offices, acquired a right to sit and vote in that assembly: the usual gradation of these offices being that of quaestor, tribune of the people, edile, praetor, and consul.

The senate always met of course on the first of January, for the inauguration of the new consuls; and in all months universally, there were three days, viz. the kalends, nones, and ides, on which it regularly met: but it always met on extraordinary occasions, when called together by consul, tribune, or dictator.