<P> Each consul was accompanied in every public appearance by twelve lictors, who displayed the magnificence of the office and served as his bodyguards . Each lictor held a fasces, a bundle of rods that contained an axe . The rods symbolized the power of scourging, and the axe the power of capital punishment . When inside the pomerium, the lictors removed the axes from the fasces to show that a citizen could not be executed without a trial . Upon entering the Comitia Centuriata, the lictors would lower the fasces to show that the powers of the consuls derive from the people (populus romanus). </P> <P> Outside the walls of Rome, the powers of the consuls were far more extensive in their role as commanders - in - chief of all Roman legions . It was in this function that the consuls were vested with full imperium . When legions were ordered by a decree of the Senate, the consuls conducted the levy in the Campus Martius . Upon entering the army, all soldiers had to take their oath of allegiance to the consuls . The consuls also oversaw the gathering of troops provided by Rome's allies . </P> <P> Within the city a consul could punish and arrest a citizen, but had no power to inflict capital punishment . When on campaign, however, a consul could inflict any punishment he saw fit on any soldier, officer, citizen, or ally . </P> <P> Each consul commanded an army, usually two legions strong, with the help of military tribunes and a quaestor who had financial duties . In the rare case that both consuls marched together, each one held the command for a day respectively . A typical consular army was about 20,000 men strong and consisted of two citizen and two allied legions . In the early years of the Republic, Rome's enemies were located in central Italy, so campaigns lasted a few months . As Rome's frontiers expanded, in the 2nd century BC, the campaigns became lengthier . Rome was a warlike society, and very seldom did not wage war . So the consul upon entering office was expected by the Senate and the People to march his army against Rome's enemies, and expand the Roman frontiers . His soldiers expected to return to their homes after the campaign with spoils . If the consul won an overwhelming victory, he was hailed as imperator by his troops, and could request to be granted a triumph . </P>

Who was in charge of rome when the consuls were away