Tribune

(trib-yün'.) [From L. tribunus, literally, the chief officer of a tribe.] (Rom. Hist.) The title of various officers. A T. of the people was chosen out of the plebeians to protect them against the encroachments and oppre ion of the patricians, and the attempts of the senate and consuls to le en or destroy their liberty. T. were first elected after the succe ion to the Mons Sacer, A. U. C. 260. They were not, strictly speaking, magistrates or invested with magisterial powers, but they exercised a great influence upon public affairs. They had the right to put a negative on the decrees of the senate, and arrest the proceedings of magistrates by the veto; and in proce of time their influence was increased to such a degree that they endangered the safety of the state.-Military T., officers elected in place of the consuls; in consequence of the demand made by the common people to be admitted to a share in supreme power. They were not, however, invested with the full power and honors of the consulate; and besides, were generally selected from the patricians. There were sometimes six, and sometimes three. They were first chosen A. U. C. 310, and continued to be elected, instead of consuls, at intervals for seventy years; after which time there were only consuls, but plebeians were admi ible to the office. Legionary T., or T. of the soldiers, were the chief officers ofa legion. There were six; and each in turn commanded under the consul; in battle, each led a cohort, or about 1,000 men. (Arch.) The pulpit, or elevated place whence speeches and addre es were formerly delivered. In the French legislative houses the speakers still addre the a embly from a T. [s. 906]