Consul

A consul was one of the two highest civil and military leaders of Rome during the Roman Republic. The consuls served as heads of state. They commanded the army and governed together with the Senate. They also carried out some judicial duties.

A consul normally served for one year. First Maccabees 15:16 mentions a letter from the Roman consul Lucius Calpurnius Piso to Ptolemy VII Physcon of Egypt. Piso served as consul from 140 to 139 BC. Ptolemy VII ruled Egypt from 145 to 116 BC.