Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Comitia was a gathering of the Roman people for making laws or deciding legal matters. Women were not allowed to participate. There were three types of Comitia: Comitia Centuriata, which elected magistrates and acted as a court of appeal; Comitia Curiata, which authorized private acts of citizens; and Comitia Tributa, which elected lower-ranking officials and made laws. The Comitia Centuriata was the most powerful and was based on wealth, while the Comitia Tributa was based on regional classification.
Definition: Comitia (pronounced kuh-MISH-ee-uh) is a Latin word that means "assembly." In Roman law, it refers to an assembly of the Roman people that gathered together for legislative or judicial purposes. Women were not allowed to participate in these assemblies.
Comitia Centuriata was an assembly of the entire Roman populace that voted by centuries (military units). It was empowered to elect magistrates and act as a court of appeal in a capital matter. During the regal period, it was a military organization based on property. Under the Republic, it became a legislative body, ousting the Comitia Curiata.
Example: The Comitia Centuriata was responsible for electing consuls, praetors, and censors. It was also responsible for passing laws and making decisions on war and peace.Comitia Curiata was an assembly of patricians whose primary function was to authorize private acts of citizens, such as declaring wills and adoptions. It engaged in little legislative activity.
Example: The Comitia Curiata was responsible for approving the appointment of the king and the vestal virgins. It also had the power to declare war and make peace.Comitia Tributa was an assembly of tribes convened to elect lower-ranking officials. It undertook a great deal of legislative activity in the later Roman Republic.
Example: The Comitia Tributa was responsible for electing quaestors, aediles, and other lower-ranking officials. It also had the power to pass laws and make decisions on war and peace. Comitia was an important part of the Roman political system. It allowed the Roman people to participate in the decision-making process and have a say in the governance of their city. The different types of Comitia had different functions and powers, but they all played a crucial role in the functioning of the Roman Republic. The examples provided illustrate the different responsibilities of each type of Comitia and how they contributed to the governance of Rome.