Triumvĭri

, rei publicæ constituendæ , were three magistrates appointed equally to govern the Roman state with absolute power. These officers gave a fatal blow to the expiring independence of the Roman people, and became celebrated for their different pursuits, their ambition, and their various fortunes. The first triumvirate, B.C. 60, was in the hands of Julius Cæsar, Pompey, and Cra us, who at the expiration of their office kindled a civil war. The second and last triumvirate, B.C. 43, was under August us, Marcus Antony, and Lepidus, and through them the Romans totally lost their liberty. August us disagreed with his colleagues, and after he had defeated them, he made himself absolute in Rome. The triumvirate was in full force at Rome for the space of about 12 years.――There were also officers who were called triumviri capita les , created A.U.C. 464. They took cognizance of murders and robberies, and everything in which slaves were concerned. Criminals under sentence of death were entrusted to their care, and they had them executed according to the commands of the pretors.――The triumviri nocturn i watched over the safety of Rome in the night-time, and in case of fire were ever ready to give orders, and to take the most effectual measures to extinguish it.――The triumviri agrarii had the care of colonies that were sent to settle in different parts of the empire. They made a fair division of the lands among the citizens, and exercised over the new colony all the power which was placed in the hands of the consuls at Rome.――The triumviri monetales were masters of the mint, and had the care of the coin, hence their office was generally intimated by the following letters often seen on ancient coins and medals: ♦ IIIVIR. A. A. A. F. F. i.e., Triumviri auro, argento, ære flan do, feriendo . Some suppose that they were created only in the age of Cicero, as those who were employed before them were called Denariorum flandorum curatores .――The triumviri valetudinis were chosen when Rome was visited by a plague or some pestiferous distemper, and they took particular care of the temples of health and virtue.――The triumviri senatus legend i were appointed to name those that were most worthy to be made senators from among the plebeians. They were first chosen in the age of August us, as before this privilege belonged to the kings, and afterwards devolved upon the consuls and the censors, A.U.C. 310.――The triumviri mensarii were chosen in the second Punic war, to take care of the coin and prices of exchange. ♦ ‘HIVIR’ replaced with ‘IIIVIR’