The dictatorship gave one man, for a fixed term, powers described as approaching those of both consuls. Rome used this office during the wars with Carthage, especially the Second Punic War. Censors conducted the census and supervised public morality, providing another part of the system's oversight. A successful consul could continue as proconsul rather than surrender an effective command to the next year's officeholder. The Senate could therefore preserve military continuity within a system of recurring elections.
Notable Point · 1:18:10-1:19:50
Emergency authority and continuity in Roman command
A fixed-term dictator could concentrate authority, while a proconsul could keep a successful commander in place beyond the annual consulship.