A tribune was an elected official who represented the interests of the plebeians (common people) in the Roman Republic. Tribunes were members of the Plebeian Council and had the power to veto decisions made by the Senate or other magistrates to protect the rights of the plebeians.
Tribunes were sacrosanct, meaning they were legally protected from harm, and their authority was central to balancing power between the plebeian class and the patrician-dominated Senate.
Tiberius Gracchus, elected as a tribune in 133 BC, used his position to advocate for land reforms to help poor Roman citizens. His attempts to redistribute land led to significant political conflict and ultimately his assassination, highlighting the volatile nature of Roman politics and the power of the tribunes.
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