of this king, and a Republic was established, which lasted until the
death of Julius Caesar.




CHAPTER VI.

THE CONSULS AND TRIBUNES.


At the close of the dynasty of the Tarquins, the regal form of
government was abolished, and instead of one king who held office for
life, two officers, called CONSULS, were elected annually from the
PATRICIANS, each of whom possessed supreme power, and acted as a
salutary check upon the other; so that neither was likely to abuse his
power. This change took place towards the close of the sixth century
before Christ.

In times of great emergency a person called DICTATOR might be
appointed by one of the Consuls, who should have supreme authority;
but his tenure of office never exceeded six months, and he must be a
patrician. He exercised his authority only outside of the city walls.
It was at this time, about 500, that the COMITIA CENTURIÁTA came to be
the more important assembly, superseding in a great measure the
COMITIA CURIÁTA.

We must remember that in this assembly all criminal cases were tried,
magistrates nominated, and laws adopted or rejected. We must not
forget that, since it was on a property basis, it was under the