<P> During the reigns of the first emperors, legislative, judicial, and electoral powers were all transferred from the Roman assemblies to the senate . However, since the emperor held control over the senate, the senate acted as a vehicle through which he exercised his autocratic powers . </P> <P> The first emperor, Augustus, reduced the size of the senate from 900 members to 600, even though there were only about 100 to 200 active senators at one time . After this point, the size of the senate was never again drastically altered . Under the empire, as was the case during the late republic, one could become a senator by being elected quaestor (a magistrate with financial duties), but only if one were of senatorial rank . In addition to quaestors, elected officials holding a range of senior positions were routinely granted senatorial rank by virtue of the offices that they held . </P> <P> If an individual were not of senatorial rank, there were two ways for him to become a senator . Under the first method, the emperor granted that individual the authority to stand for election to the quaestorship, while under the second method, the emperor appointed that individual to the senate by issuing a decree . Under the empire, the power that the emperor held over the senate was absolute . </P> <P> The two consuls were a part of the senate, but had more power than the senators . During senate meetings, the emperor sat between the two consuls, and usually acted as the presiding officer . Senators of the early empire could ask extraneous questions or request that a certain action be taken by the senate . Higher ranking senators spoke before those of lower rank, although the emperor could speak at any time . </P>

Who had more power in the roman senate