COMITIA

In Ancient History, the a emblies of the Roman people, which were of three kinds, distinguished by the epithets Curiata, Centu riata, and Tributa. 1. The Comitia Curiata were the a emblies of the patrician houses or populus; and in these, before the plebeians attained political importance, was vested the supreme power of the state. The name Curiata was given because the people voted in curies, each curia giving a single vote representing the sentiments of the majority of the members composing it; which was the manner in which the tribes and centuries also gave their suffrages in their respective comitia. After the institution of the Comitia Centu riata, the functions of the curiata were nearly confined to the election of certain priests, and pa ing a law to confirm the dignities imposed by the people. 2. The Comitia Centu riata were the a emblies of the whole Roman people, including patricians, clients, and plebeians, in which they voted by centuries. By the constitution of the centuries, these comitia were chiefly in the hands of the plebeians, and so served originally as a counterpoise to the powers of the comitia curiata, for which purpose they were first instituted by the lawgiver king Servius TuUius. These comitia quickly obtained the chief importance, and public matters of the greatest moment were transacted in them; as the elections of consuls, praetors, and censors, and the pa ing laws and trials for high treason. 3. The Comitia Tributa were the a emblies of the plebeian tribes. They were first instituted after the expulsion of the kings; and in them were transacted matters pertaining to the plebeians alone, as the election of their tribunes and jediles. [s. 267]