What Was A Tribune In Ancient Times?

In ancient Rome, any of the different military and civil officials were called tribunes and military tribunes were initially infantry commanders. In the ancient period of the republic there were six tribunes appointed to a legion. Some of the tribunes were appointed by the military commanders as well as consuls and some of them were appointed by the people. The emperors of the Roman Empire which began in 27 B.C used to recommend the military tribunes. The office of the military tribunes was regarded as preliminary to an equestrian career.

In case of the civil tribunes the most important thing was that they were elected by the assembly. According to ancient Roman history the plebeian tribunes were elected through a plebeian assembly. It had been approved by the ancient history that by 450 B.C the magistrates or consuls elected tribunes of plebeian by using "veto". The office of tribunes were so powerful that its powers were restricted by Sulla but it was brought back by the great emperor Pompey. During the age of empires the powers of the plebeian tribunes were greater than those of the emperors.

Add Comment

Report