The primary function of the ancient Roman Senate was to advise magistrates and influence legislation in the Roman Republic. Composed of Rome's elite, the Senate held considerable power, particularly in matters of foreign policy, financial decisions, and military appointments. While initially an advisory body, it gradually gained authority and became a central institution in Roman governance. Senators were typically wealthy landowners, and the body often embodied the interests of the aristocracy. Although it lost some of its power during the transition to the Roman Empire, the Senate continued to play a role in Roman political life for centuries.