WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Later, tribunes gained the power to veto, or overrule, actions by the Senate and other government officials. Over time, the number of tribunes grew from two to ten. Plebeians could also elect a lawmaking body, the Council of Plebs. However, the council made laws only for plebeians, not for patricians.

Detailed explanation-2: -The tribunes could veto acts of the Roman senate. The tribune Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus imposed his veto on all government functions in 133 BC, when the senate attempted to block his agrarian reforms by imposing the veto of another tribune.

Detailed explanation-3: -The tribunes of the plebs had the power to convene the concilium plebis, or plebeian assembly, and propose legislation before it. Only one of the tribunes could preside over this assembly, which had the power to pass laws affecting only the plebeians, known as plebiscita, or plebiscites.

Detailed explanation-4: -Elected by the plebeians, tribunes had the ability to veto ( VEE-toh), or prohibit, actions by other officials. Veto means “I forbid” in Latin, the Romans’ language. This veto power made tribunes very pow-erful in Rome’s government. To keep them from abusing their power, each tribune remained in office only one year.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Senate had broad jurisdiction over religious and judicial matters, as well over tax, war and peace, criminal (including bills of attainder), military, foreign policy (with concurrent powers with the executive), and administrative matters. In short, the Senate controlled all areas of public life.