This volume addresses a crucial issue for the political culture of the Roman Republic: competition among individuals and families of thesocial elite. This rivalry came to head at the annual elections of new magistrates: every year, a number of candidates ran for office andwhereas some obtained sufficient votes from the people, others weredefeated. The political career of a Roman citizen therefore took theshape of a hierarchical ladder (cursus honorum) whose rungscorresponded to the age at which one or other magistracy was attained. The book deals with the position of the cursus honorum in Republicanhistory, reflects on the way scholarship has constructed its political and social significance for the political culture of the period, anddiscusses questions relating to how Roman citizens pursued differentpolitical careers. The outcome is a groundbreaking and essentialcontribution to a better understanding of the Roman Republic.