What was the role of the Roman Senate in the governance of the Roman Empire?

The Roman Senate was a key political institution in the governance of the Roman Empire. It was established in the early days of the Roman Republic, and it continued to play an important role in Roman politics until the end of the Western Roman Empire. The Senate was made up of around 300 members who were appointed for life by the Roman consuls.

The Senate was responsible for advising the consuls and other magistrates, who had executive power in Rome. It was also responsible for proposing laws and making decisions on matters of war and peace. While the Senate did not have the power to directly govern the Roman Empire, its opinions were highly influential and often carried great weight with the Roman people.

During the Roman Empire, the Senate continued to hold a significant amount of power, but much of its authority was gradually transferred to the Roman emperors. Despite this, the Senate continued to meet and advise the emperor on matters of state. It was also responsible for maintaining the public buildings and roads in Rome, as well as overseeing the administration of justice.