Roman tribe

Roman Election

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Roman tribes were fundamental divisions of the ancient Roman citizens that constituted the Roman state. The tribes were administrative and religious divisions that grouped families together. Initially, there were three tribes, but as the Roman Republic expanded, the number increased to thirty-five. The concept of Roman tribes is essential for understanding the social and political structure of ancient Rome.

Origins and Development

The origins of the Roman tribes trace back to the early days of Rome, under the rule of its legendary founder, Romulus. According to tradition, Romulus initially divided the Roman people into three tribes: the Ramnes, Tities, and Luceres, each supposedly representing one of Rome's founding ethnic groups: Latins, Sabines, and Etruscans, respectively. This division was primarily for military and religious purposes.

As Rome conquered neighboring territories and incorporated their inhabitants into its citizen body, the number of tribes increased. The last four tribes were added in 241 BC, bringing the total to thirty-five. These tribes were not based on ethnicity but rather on geography, as new citizens were distributed among the tribes based on where they lived.

Function and Importance

The Roman tribes had several key functions within the Republic. They served as a basis for the organization of the Roman army, with each tribe providing a certain number of soldiers. They also played a crucial role in the political system, as they were units for electoral purposes. Citizens voted in tribal assemblies, where laws were passed, magistrates were elected, and important decisions regarding war and peace were made.

Moreover, the tribes were used for tax collection and other administrative purposes. Each tribe had its own officials, religious sites, and sanctuaries, which fostered a sense of community among its members.

The Tribal Assembly

The Comitia Tributa, or Tribal Assembly, was one of the principal legislative bodies of the Roman Republic. It was organized according to the tribes, with each tribe having one vote, regardless of its population size. This system initially favored the rural tribes over the urban ones, as the latter were more populous but had the same voting power as the less populated rural tribes.

Decline and Legacy

With the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire, the importance of the tribes gradually diminished. The administrative and military functions of the tribes were taken over by other institutions, and the tribal assembly lost its legislative powers to the emperor. However, the tribes continued to exist in a ceremonial capacity well into the Imperial period.

The concept of Roman tribes left a lasting legacy in the administrative divisions of many European countries, influencing the development of medieval and modern governance systems.

See Also

• Roman Republic
• Roman Empire
• Comitia Tributa
• Romulus