TRĬUMVĬRI

or TRESVĬRI, were either ordinary magistrates or officers, or else extraordinary commi ioners, who were frequently appointed at Rome to execute any public office. The following is a list of the most important of both cla es. 1. Triumviri Agro Dividundo. [ Triumviri Coloniae Deducendae. ] 2. Triumviri Capita les were regular magistrates, first appointed about B.C. 292. They were elected by the people, the comitia being held by the praetor. They succeeded to many of the functions of the Quaestores Parricidii. [ Quaestor . ] It was their duty to inquire into all capital crimes, and to receive informations respecting such, and consequently they apprehended and committed to prison all criminals whom they detected. In conjunction with the aediles, they had to preserve the public peace, to prevent all unlawful a emblies, . They enforced the payment of fines due to the state. They had the care of public prisons, and carried into effect the sentence of the law upon criminals. In these points they resembled the magistracy of the Eleven at Athens. 4. Triumviri Coloniae Deducendae were persons appointed to superintend the formation of a colony. They are spoken of under Coloni a , p. 99 , b . Since they had besides to superintend the distribution of the land to the colonists, we find them also called Triumviri Coloniae Deducendae Agroque Dividundo , and sometimes simply Triumviri Agro Dando . 5. Triumviri Epulones. [ Epulones . ] 6. Triumviri Equitum Turmas Recognoscendi , or Legend is Equitum Decuriis , were magistrates first appointed by August us to revise the lists of the equites, and to admit persons into the order. This was formerly part of the duties of the censors. 7. Triumviri Mensarii. [ Mensarii . ] 8. Triumviri Monetales. [ Moneta . ] 9. Triumviri Nocturn i were magistrates elected annually, whose chief duty it was to prevent fires by night, and for this purpose they had to go round the city during the night ( vigil i as circumire ). If they neglected their duty they appear to have been accused before the people by the tribunes of the plebs. The time at which this office was instituted is unknown, but it must have been previously to the year B.C. 304. August us transferred their duties to the Praefect us Vigilum. [ Praefect us Vigilum . ] 10. Triumviri Reficiendis Aedibus , extraordinary officers elected in the Comitia Tributa in the time of the second Punic war, were appointed for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding certain temples. 11. Triumviri Reipublicae Constituendae. When the supreme power was shared between Caesar (Oct avian us), Antony, and Lepidus, they administered the affairs of the state under the title of Triumviri Reipublicae Constituendae . This office was conferred upon them in B.C. 43, for five years; and on the expiration of the term, in B.C. 38, was conferred upon them again, in B.C. 37, for five years more. The coalition between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Cra us, in B.C. 60, is usually called the first triumvirate, and that between Oct avian us, Antony, and Lepidus, the second; but it must be borne in mind that the former never bore the title of triumviri, nor were invested with any office under that name, whereas the latter were recognised as regular magistrates under the above-mentioned title. 12. Triumviri Sacris Con qui rend is Donisque Per sign and is , extraordinary officers elected in the Comitia Tributa in the time of the second Punic war, seem to have had to take care that all property given or consecrated to the gods was applied to that purpose. 13. Triumviri Senatus Legend i were magistrates appointed by August us to admit persons into the senate. This was previously the duty of the censors.