Consules potius quam imperantes: una proposta di riconsiderazione della magistratura consolare a partire dall’esempio di Milano (1138-1162)

The essay reassesses the consular magistracy in twelfth-century communes, questioning the idea that consuls directly expressed aristocratic dominance. Focusing on Milan (1138-1162), it challenges a rigid link between social supremacy and political power, highlighting citizen participation and individual competence. Prosopographical analysis reveals no stable family hegemonies and shows that appointments were selective and functional. The prominence of judges reflects the judicial bias of surviving sources. Consuls thus emerge as magistrates delegated by the urban community and accountable to civic assemblies.