Hi all,
Apologies for what is possibly another inane question on my part. I've been pondering lately some of the details and intricacies of what may have been involved in an election to the various magistracies. Hopefully someone can help out, as you've never failed me in the past...
1) How was an 'election campaign' conducted? How would those looking to be appointed into a position appeal to their voters? When would their campaign begin; ie, as soon as the current year's magistrates are put in place, would people begin politicking for the next year, or were there certain traditional times when such things were done? When were votes conducted vs. when did the person come into office?
2) How large were the fields? For example, in a given year, what would you estimate as to a number of those running for the various magistracies? (Consul, Praetor, Aedile, Quaestor, Tribune of the Plebs, etc...)
3) Was there a minimum, maximum, general or traditional age for a Tribune of the Plebs? Most of the other offices seem to have a fairly rigid structure (prior to Sulla at least.), but I can't seem to find details on ages for this one.
4) Religious offices. Who votes for/selects these folks? Likewise for the vestals? How many augurs were there? What were the requirements for eligibility?
5) Military legates (Such as Marius with Q. Caecilius Metellus in Numidia). How were they selected and what authority did they have? Is this the same thing as a military tribune?
Note, I'm primarily thinking of the Late Republic here, pre-Sulla's dictatorship; but sources from other eras would be welcome too.
Thanks for the help,
-RI