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

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

swift — Sat, 06 Nov 2004 06:17:51 -0800

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?

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Sat, 06 Nov 2004 07:25:16 -0800

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.

By: swift

swift — Sat, 06 Nov 2004 09:22:52 -0800

Thanks!