rdfs:comment
| - In Roman society, a Tribunus (rendered into English as Tribune) was a magistrate whose task was to protect and defend the interests of the plebeians (the common people) from oppression. The role was established circa 490 BCE in the Roman Republic as plebeians fought to have rights against the privileged patricians. The Tribunus had veto power over measures enacted by Consuls, sentences declared by Praetors, and monetary decisions made by Quaestors. Tribunes were elected by the Consilium Plebis (Assembly of the People). After 200 years or so, more conflicts between Plebeians and Patricians led to the Tribunus receiving more powers, such as arresting Magistrates and convening a meeting of the Senate. In return though, the Tribunus had to live within 1 day's journey of Rome and their house mu
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abstract
| - In Roman society, a Tribunus (rendered into English as Tribune) was a magistrate whose task was to protect and defend the interests of the plebeians (the common people) from oppression. The role was established circa 490 BCE in the Roman Republic as plebeians fought to have rights against the privileged patricians. The Tribunus had veto power over measures enacted by Consuls, sentences declared by Praetors, and monetary decisions made by Quaestors. Tribunes were elected by the Consilium Plebis (Assembly of the People). After 200 years or so, more conflicts between Plebeians and Patricians led to the Tribunus receiving more powers, such as arresting Magistrates and convening a meeting of the Senate. In return though, the Tribunus had to live within 1 day's journey of Rome and their house must be open to visitors during day and night. The most famous Tribunus was Tiberius Gracchus, who tried to change the system of agrarian law and was executed by the order of the Senate and had his body dumped into the River Tiber (the favored dumping ground for the bodies of politicians in Ancient Rome). When the Roman Empire was established, the office of Tribunus remained, but all of its powers disappeared as the Consilium Plebis was dissolved. The Tribunus was also a rank in the Roman army. It was the rank of a senior officer. There were 6 Tribunes total in a Legion. They would function as assistants to the Legion Commander. Often, this position was given to young Senators or Equestrians (non-noble upper class, usually former career soldiers or nobles of prominent military families).
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