The 'Cursus Honorum' (Course of Honors) was the sequential order of public offices held by aspiring politicians in the Roman Republic. It was designed to ensure that men gained experience and proved their loyalty before reaching the highest levels of power. A typical career began with military service, followed by the office of Quaestor (finance), Aedile (public works), Praetor (justice), and finally, the ultimate goal: Consul. There were age requirements for each step and mandatory intervals between offices to prevent the rise of a single dominant leader. This system emphasized the Roman values of 'dignitas' (prestige) and 'auctoritas' (authority). For a 'novus homo' (new man)—someone whose family had never held high office—climbing the Cursus Honorum was an incredible challenge, as seen in the career of the famous orator Cicero.