Ancient History: The Role of the Tribunate: 133-78BC

The tribunate of Ancient Rome consisted of ten men elected for a one year term by the plebeians, who had to power to propose laws, summon the concilium plebis (Plebeian/People's Assembly) and gain resolutions from it, propose laws to the Senate, defend the people against the decisions of magistrates and veto any matters which they disagreed with. Although Rome had no written constitution, the role of the tribune was dictated by the mos maiorum - the tradition of ancestors - which all government members sought to adhere to and it was usual for tribunes to consult the Senate before using any…