The highest elected political office within the Roman Republic was the consul. The consul was the official who had the most judicial influence in the Roman Republic and commanded the military. Every year, citizens would elect two different consuls to oversee the Republic who served a one-year term and each commanded two legions which equated to roughly 3,000 men in each legion. After the establishment of the Roman Empire, the consuls lost most power and were used as symbolic figures to display the heritage and culture of Rome.