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Overview of the Tribune of the plebs
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Length of service:
Officer holders: Duty: |
1 year
2-10 Protecting the interests of the plebeians |
Origins of the tribune of the plebs
The designation 'tribune' comes from the word tribus, or tribe. Originally tribunes commanded a legion of 3,000 soldiers and were deployed by one of the three ancient tribes of Rome, the Ramnes, Luceres and Tities. During the time of the Roman Kingdom the commander of the king's own bodyguard were known was Tribunus Celerum, or Tribune of the Knights. They acted as a second in command to the king and passed laws; in extreme circumstances they could even challenge the King's authority and power, providing that the comita curiata supported them.
By the time of the Roman Republic the name tribunes does not refer to any one specific office as there were different types of tribune with varying degrees of influence, power and responsibility. Tribunes were meant to act as a check on the Senate, keeping their power under scrutiny and ensuring there was no corruption. The most powerful and influential tribune was the tribune of the plebs.
The need for this office came about in 495 BC when the plebeians of Rome revolted against the ruling class because of years of unfair treatment. Eventually they protested by leaving Rome and journeying to Mons Sacer or Sacred Mount, just outside of the city, in what became known as the 'First Secession of the Plebs'. The ruling class sent envoys to negotiate as they acknowledged the city could not function without the plebs. The outcome of the negotiations resulted in the office of the 'Tribune of the Plebs' being created in 494 BC with the sole duty of protecting the plebeians and easing the tension between the classes. The ruling class was also not allowed to run for election for this office to prevent the patricians from abusing the position for their own gain.
Tribunes of the plebs were elected by the plebeian assembly or Concilium Plebis and, therefore. placed under their protection too should they ever be threatened or come to any harm. This also meant if tribunes left Rome their influence was weakened as it would be harder to call upon the plebs to defend them. However, the duty of the tribune of the plebs was seen as an important office and any attempt to hinder their role could be punishable by death.
By the time of the Roman Republic the name tribunes does not refer to any one specific office as there were different types of tribune with varying degrees of influence, power and responsibility. Tribunes were meant to act as a check on the Senate, keeping their power under scrutiny and ensuring there was no corruption. The most powerful and influential tribune was the tribune of the plebs.
The need for this office came about in 495 BC when the plebeians of Rome revolted against the ruling class because of years of unfair treatment. Eventually they protested by leaving Rome and journeying to Mons Sacer or Sacred Mount, just outside of the city, in what became known as the 'First Secession of the Plebs'. The ruling class sent envoys to negotiate as they acknowledged the city could not function without the plebs. The outcome of the negotiations resulted in the office of the 'Tribune of the Plebs' being created in 494 BC with the sole duty of protecting the plebeians and easing the tension between the classes. The ruling class was also not allowed to run for election for this office to prevent the patricians from abusing the position for their own gain.
Tribunes of the plebs were elected by the plebeian assembly or Concilium Plebis and, therefore. placed under their protection too should they ever be threatened or come to any harm. This also meant if tribunes left Rome their influence was weakened as it would be harder to call upon the plebs to defend them. However, the duty of the tribune of the plebs was seen as an important office and any attempt to hinder their role could be punishable by death.
Duties of the tribune of the plebs
The most prominent type of tribune was the tribune of the plebs or 'Tribuni Plebis'. The purpose of the office was to protect the plebeian class and ensure they were not disadvantaged by the passing of any new laws passed by the Senate or other offices that had authority of law. The individuals responsible for passing laws were almost always of the patrician class and would naturally attempt to enact laws that favoured their own class at the expense of the lower classes. The tribunes of the plebs were unique as their power was virtually unrivalled with the power to veto any laws they felt were unreasonable - they could challenge the will of consuls and dictators if they wished. However they had to be physically present in order to challenge laws and, therefore, had to remain in Rome at all times to be effective. Later in the Roman Republic the tribune of the plebs could even initiate their own laws, or at least put them forward to the Senate for consideration.
Plebeian tribunes also protected the common citizens of Rome on a more personal level. If a citizen believed he was being treated unfairly by the state he could say 'appello tribunos', or 'I call upon the tribunes'. The tribune was obliged to investigate the matter and ensure no corruption or foul play was at hand. If they did indeed find something wrong, they would act accordingly.
It is unknown how many tribunes of the plebs originally served at any one time; some sources claim it was between two and five, though by 470 BC it was confirmed to be five offices that were available and by 457 BC it was increased again to ten.
Plebeian tribunes also protected the common citizens of Rome on a more personal level. If a citizen believed he was being treated unfairly by the state he could say 'appello tribunos', or 'I call upon the tribunes'. The tribune was obliged to investigate the matter and ensure no corruption or foul play was at hand. If they did indeed find something wrong, they would act accordingly.
It is unknown how many tribunes of the plebs originally served at any one time; some sources claim it was between two and five, though by 470 BC it was confirmed to be five offices that were available and by 457 BC it was increased again to ten.
Post-Republic
By the time of Sulla's dictatorship attempts had been made to reduce the authority of the office and despite later efforts to restore their power it was forever weakened. Julius Caesar was later granted the powers of the tribune of the plebs while he was dictator though he abused this power in order to stop others from challenging his rule.
After the fall of the Roman Republic, the first emperor, Augustus, was bestowed with the vetoing powers of the tribune of the plebs, as well as the title. All emperors that followed also received the title and the powers. The actual office still existed but no longer held any real power. It was still required so that plebeians could use it as a stepping-stone in their career to a seat in the Roman Senate.
After the fall of the Roman Republic, the first emperor, Augustus, was bestowed with the vetoing powers of the tribune of the plebs, as well as the title. All emperors that followed also received the title and the powers. The actual office still existed but no longer held any real power. It was still required so that plebeians could use it as a stepping-stone in their career to a seat in the Roman Senate.
Trivia
- Plebeian Tribunes were elected solely by the plebeian class, patricians had no say in who was elected.