Who were the ex-consuls and ex-praetors that served in provinces called?

The correct answer is B, as the terms "proconsuls" and "propraetors" specifically refer to ex-consuls and ex-praetors who were assigned to govern provinces in the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. Proconsuls were typically former consuls who were appointed to administer a province, often with considerable military and administrative powers. On the other hand, propraetors were usually former praetors given similar roles but to a lesser degree of authority than proconsuls.

These officials were part of the Roman administrative system, and their roles were crucial for maintaining Roman control and governance over distant provinces. Their appointments ensured that experienced political leaders were placed in positions of power, which helped facilitate Rome's extensive administrative reach across its territories.

The other options do not accurately reflect this specific group of officials. While governors might be a broader term that could describe those in charge of provinces, it does not specifically denote their status as former higher-ranking officials. Senators refers to members of the Roman Senate, which is a different political body. Viceroys, while analogous in some contexts to provincial governors in other empires, do not specifically relate to Roman governance. Thus, proconsuls and propraetors is the