In the Roman Republic, men of senatorial rank could compete for political offices which were placed in a set order and had to be earned sequentially.

This hierarchy was known as the Cursus Honorum.

The Cursus Honorum was the basis of political and social life in ancient Rome, and the fortunes of entire families could rise and fall based on how high someone could climb.

Learn more about the Roman political ladder on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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