Cursus honorum

Literally the "ladder of offices"The Roman system of organizing bureaucratic offices in a hierarchal system, in which one applicant is supposed to move up from one to the other. Under increasing pressure during and after the Punic Wars especially, it was formalized and crystallized in the aftermath of the Third Punic War.


 * the greatly increased demand for those with military command led to prorogating (esp after Cannae, where 1/3 of senators killed)

Requirements:

 * had to serve in the military for 10 years
 * sets minimum age (esp praetor & consul)
 * puts limits on reelection

Steps (triangular shaped "ladder")
Opportunities are few at the top, plentiful at the bottom


 * quaestor- took care of public money
 * praetor-leading officials with consuls gone; could command an army, could be judges
 * consul
 * censor-given to especially well reputed consuls
 * gubernator