In the Roman Republic, and later the empire, the curule chair (Latin, sella curulis, supposedly from currus, “chariot”) was the chair upon which senior magistrates or promagistrates owning imperium were entitled to sit including dictators, masters of the horse, consuls, praetors, censors, and the curule aediles. Additionally, the Flamen of Iuppiter (Flamen Dialis) was also allowed to sit on a sella curulis, though this position lacked imperium. In the latter Republic, Caesar the Dictator was entitled to sit upon a curule chair made of gold.

The curule chair was traditionally made of ivory; with curved legs forming a wide X; it had no back, and low arms. The chair could be folded, and thus made easily transportable for magisterial and promagesterial commanders in the field.

According to Livy the curule chair originated in Etruria.

The form has since found its way into decorations of later periods, especially in the neoclassicism of the early 19th century.

The curule chair is used on medals to express a curule magistracy; when traversed by a hasta (spear), it is the symbol of Juno, and serves to express the conservation of princesses.

See also

• Magistratus Curulis

References