When the Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC, the powers that had been held by the king were transferred to the Roman consuls, of which two were to be elected each year.
Первая высшая магистратура была создана примерно в 509 до н. э., когда после отмены царской власти во главе Римской республики встал "praetor maximus" — должность, впоследствии превратившаяся в консулат.