In Republican Rome permanent diplomatic representation between states did not exist. Relations were occasional and temporary, depending on changing political circumstances. As a result, there were no ‘diplomats’ in the modern sense, nor experts in diplomacy. In Rome, it was understood that anyone wanting a political career, and therefore any senator, ought to have a sufficient knowledge of external affairs and should have an understanding of treaties, alliances, and international law in general.

The diplomatic relations of the Roman state were thus in the hands of the magistrates and the senate. In the list of civil functions assigned to consuls in Rome before they took command of their armies, Polybius alludes to the bringing of foreign embassies before the senate. According to the Greek author, the senate was in charge of sending legates to non-Italic states as well as deciding on the response to be given to foreign ambassadors and the treatment they ought to receive in each particular case. Consequently, it is clear that the senate had total control over diplomacy in the city of Rome and that only senators could receive embassies and appoint official legates, but also that when dealing with representatives of other states, the consuls acted as the agents in the diplomatic process.

Indeed, ancient sources frequently refer to the consuls acting on behalf of the Roman state in negotiations with representatives of other states, both in Rome and during the wars in which they were involved.