What was the role of the tribunes of the plebs in Ancient Rome?
Q: What was the role of the tribunes of the plebs in Ancient Rome?
A: The tribunes of the plebs provided a balance between the power of the Senate and the needs of the people. They had the power to use the People's Assembly to support the common people, summon the Senate, propose legislation, and intervene on behalf of plebeians in legal matters.
Q: How many tribunes were there at any time?
A: There were ten tribunes at any time, and they could act separately or together.
Q: Who were the plebs?
A: The plebs were the free Roman people who were not patricians.
Q: Could a tribune be a commoner?
A: Yes, a tribune could be a commoner, unlike all the other officials of the Roman Republic.
Q: What was the most important power of the tribunes of the plebs?
A: The most important power of the tribunes of the plebs was the power to veto the actions of the Consuls and other magistrates, to protect the interests of the plebeians.
Q: Could an assault on any plebian tribune be carried out without legal consequences?
A: No, an assault on any plebian tribune was against the law.
Q: Did the tribunes of the plebs have any real powers under the Roman Empire?
A: No, under the Roman Empire they did not have real powers.
