| − | A '''Consul''' is a powerful position of authority in ancient [[Rome]]; two Consuls were annually elected from 509 BC onwards. They had executive authority and military command of the [[Roman Republic]]. The office survived under the imperial system of the [[Roman Empire]] that succeeded the republic, but became increasingly divested of real power. The office even survived the fall of Rome itself in 476 AD, and the [[Barbarian]] rulers of [[Italy]] continued to appoint consuls until 541 AD. | + | <nowiki>A '''Consul''' is a powerful position of authority in ancient [[Rome]]; two Consuls were annually elected from 509 BC onwards. They had executive authority and military command of the [[Roman Republic]]. The office survived under the imperial system of the [[Roman Empire]] that succeeded the republic, but became increasingly divested of real power. The office even survived the fall of Rome itself in 476 AD, and the [[Barbarian]] rulers of [[Italy]] continued to appoint consuls until 541 AD. |