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The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC

The tribunes of the plebs and their power in the state

  • 2 things to know
  • Component Group 2

Overview

Recall questions on the ten tribunes and their eligibility, sacrosanctity, intercessio and the ius auxilii, the limits of their power beyond Rome, how one tribune could halt business, Sulla's curbs on the office, Cotta's law of 75 BC, the restoration by Pompey and Crassus in 70 BC, tribunes and Pompey's commands, and Caesar's use of the tribunes in 49 BC.

What you need to know

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Key term

How many tribunes of the plebs were elected each year, and who was eligible?

Evaluation

How far beyond the city did a tribune's powers reach?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How many tribunes of the plebs were elected each year, and who was eligible?

    Model answer

    Ten were elected annually, and only a plebeian could hold the office.

  2. 2

    Explain what the sacrosanctity of a tribune meant.

    Model answer

    The plebs had sworn an oath to destroy anyone who laid hands on a tribune, so his person was inviolable throughout his year.

  3. 3

    Define intercessio.

    Model answer

    It is a tribune's veto, by which he could block a bill, an election, a decree of the Senate or the act of any magistrate.

  4. 4

    What was the ius auxilii?

    Model answer

    It was a tribune's right to step in personally and rescue a citizen from a magistrate's coercion.

  5. 5

    Why was a tribune forbidden to spend a night away from Rome?

    Model answer

    His help had to be available to citizens at any hour, so he was required to remain within reach of the city.

  6. 6

    How far beyond the city did a tribune's powers reach?

    Model answer

    Only to the first milestone, beyond which a commander's imperium was unchecked by him.

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