Its members were usually appointed by censors, who ordinarily selected newly elected magistrates for membership in the senate, making the senate a partially elected body. Status was not hereditary and there were always some new men, though sons of former magistrates found it easier to be elected to the qualifying magistracies. During emergencies, a dictator could be appointed for the purpose of appointing senators (as was done after the Battle of Cannae). However, by the end of the republic men such as Caesar and the members of the Second Triumvirate usurped these powers for themselves.
Its members were usually appointed by censors who ordinarily selected newly elected magistrates for membership in the senate making the senate a partially elected body Status was not hereditary and there were always some new men though sons of former magistrates found it easier to be elected to the qualifying magistracies During emergencies a dictator could be appointed for the purpose of appointing senators (as was done after the Battle of Cannae) However by the end of the republic men such as Caesar and the members of the Second Triumvirate usurped these powers for themselves