Final answer:
The Roman Senate changed from being composed only of patricians to including plebeian tribunes. Over time, emperors gained more control over senatorial appointments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The makeup of the Roman Senate changed over time. Initially, the Senate was composed of patricians, who were the nobles of ancient Rome. However, by the first century BC, the Senate began to include plebeian tribunes, who were representatives of the common people. This change occurred due to social and political reforms aimed at increasing the representation of plebeians in the Senate.
As Rome transitioned from a republic to an empire, the power of the Senate diminished. Emperors started appointing senators and bypassing the traditional election process. This ultimately led to a situation where senators were chosen by the emperor rather than being elected.
In summary, the Roman Senate changed from being exclusively composed of patricians to including plebeian tribunes. However, over time, the power and composition of the Senate shifted, with emperors having more control over senatorial appointments.
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