What's the name for people who were allowed to shout opposition from outside the Roman Senate?

November 6, 2004 6:17 AM

What is the name for the people who were allowed to sit outside the Roman Senate and shout their opposition to whatever was going on inside?
posted by swift to Law & Government (2 answers total)

The tribunes, who made up the Tribunate.

The persons of the tribunes were declared sacred, and they were protected from harm by all the power of the Roman religion. Their influence slowly grew. It was probably late in the fifth century when they attained the right to sit outside the door of the Roman Senate house and shout "veto" (I forbid) when the Senate tried to pass a law contrary to the welfare of the plebeians. No law could pass over the veto of any one of the tribunes.

posted by jessamyn at 7:25 AM on November 6, 2004 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks!
posted by swift at 9:22 AM on November 6, 2004