Tribune, << TRIHB yoon, >> was an official in ancient Rome. There were two kinds of tribunes, military tribunes and tribunes of the people.
The first military tribunes were leaders of the soldiers that the various Roman tribes furnished to serve in the army of the republic. There were six tribunes to each legion (group of soldiers). They ranked next after the commander in chief. The early tribunes were appointed by consuls (chief government officials). Later, the people elected them. During the Roman Empire period, military tribunes lost much of their importance.
Tribunes of the people were officials elected to protect the rights of plebeians (commoners). According to one account, the plebeians left Rome in 494 B.C. and refused to return until they were allowed to elect their own defenders. Historians believe that at first there were only two tribunes. Later, there were four or five and then 10. They held office for a term of one year but could be reelected. The tribunes could defend citizens against unfair acts by officials. In the Senate, they could veto bills. In their own assembly, they could introduce plebiscites (resolutions made by the plebeians).
The tribunes were considered sacred and could not be imprisoned. They became the most powerful civil officers in the state, though their powers did not extend beyond the city limits of Rome. Largely because of the work of the tribunes, the plebeians gradually took over many of the political rights which had once belonged only to patricians (aristocrats). In 23 B.C., Emperor Augustus received the powers of a tribune. These powers enabled Roman emperors to add civil authority to their military power.
In the A.D. 1300’s, an Italian patriot named Cola di Rienzo took the title of tribune when he led the common people in their fight for freedom from the nobles. Those who defend the common people are often called tribunes. See Cola di Rienzo .
