Tresviri capitales
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The Tresviri Capitales were an organization in Ancient Rome. They served as police and firefighters. Despite this they feared by the Roman people due to their police roles, and they were condemned due to their neglect of firefighting during one moment. Probably the Great Fire of Rome. The Tresviri Capitales were elected by the Urban Praetors and later Tribal Assembly. The Tresviri Capitales acted under the mandate of the Senate.
Role
The Tresviri Capitales served as police in Ancient Rome. They were somewhat feared by the citizens of Rome. Although the Tresviri Capitales had total criminal jurisdiction over the people of Rome, they did not have judicial jurisdiction. They supervised executions and castigated thieves and slaves. Also, they, along with the aediles, organized special guard troops dedicated to arresting criminals. According to W. Kunkel the Tresviri Capitales most likely handled ordinary crimes that would not be handled by the Popular Assembly or Courts. Another explanation is that thieves caught while stealing would be brought to the Tresviri Capitalres. Where the criminal would then confess or deny his crime.[1] Another legal duty of the Tresviri Capitales was managing Roman prisons.[2] Aside from policing Rome, they also arrested and punished runaway slaves. However, this does not necessarily mean the Tresviri Capitales searched for the slaves. Fines and fees for starting lawsuits would be collected by the Tresviri Capitales.[3] The Tresviri Capitales were one group responsible for firefighting in Rome. They organized nightly patrols. The people of Rome condemned the Tresviri Capitales for neglecting their responsibility of firefighting on one occasion. This occasion was probably the Great Fire of Rome.[1] One minor role of the Tresviri Capitales was managing the roads of Rome.
Organization
According to Plautus, the Tresviri Capitales consisted of 8 men. The Tresviri Capitales acted under the mandate of the senate.[1] Earlier in their history the Tresviri Capitales were appointed by the Urban Praetor.[3] Later, the Tresviri Capitales were elected by the people.[4]
History
The Tresviri Capitales were formed around 290 or 287.[1][3] The Tresviri Capitales changed the way Roman society utilized the death penalty. The death penalty was a state tool instead of a private matter carried out due to vengeance. [2] Sometime between 242 and 122 BCE a Lex Papiria ordered that the Tresviri Capitales would be elected by the Comitia Tributa also known as Tribal Assembly.[5] Previously, they were elected by the Urban Praetors.
References
- ^ a b c d Nippel, Wilfried (1995-09-21). Public Order in Ancient Rome. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-38749-1.
- ^ a b Gaughan, Judy E. (2010-01-01). Murder Was Not a Crime: Homicide and Power in the Roman Republic. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-77992-1.
- ^ a b c Lintott, Andrew (1999-04-01). The Constitution of the Roman Republic. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-158467-1.
- ^ Rome; etc, Rome Laws; Johnson, Allan Chester; Coleman-Norton, Paul Robinson; Bourne, Frank Card (1961). Ancient Roman Statutes: A Translation, with Introduction, Commentary, Glossary, and Index. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-73163-9.
- ^ Berger, Adolf (1968). Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law. American Philosophical Society. ISBN 978-0-87169-432-4.
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