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| The Plebian Tribune (tribuni plebis) was established in 457 BCE. At first, it consisted only of five tribunes, but that number soon doubled. These men were elected by the plebians, one vote per tribe, and oversaw the plebian assembly. Its purpose, in the beginning, was mainly to protect individuals from ill-treatment by magistrates. The members of the tribune itself were protected by sacrosanctity (sacrosanctitas) which meant that anyone who attempted to physically assault a tribune was considered an outlaw and could be killed. Later on though, its functions would increase to blocking improper official actions, convening the senate and proposing legislation (plebiscita). Unfortunately, the patricians did not feel bound by the laws passed by the Plebian Tribune. Because of this, much tension existed between the patricians and the plebs. That is, until the year 287 BCE. This date marks the passage of a plebiscita known as lex Hortensia (sponsored by the dictator Quintus Hortensius). This law made all future laws binding to both patricians and plebians. It was after the passage of this law that virtually all the distinctions between the patricians and plebians disappeared. |
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