Note 1116 — Chapter V · CONSULSHIP OF CÆSAR AND BIBULUS. (695.)

The consuls, prætors, and generally all those who presided at an assembly of the people, or even who attended in quality of magistrates, had a right of veto, founded on popular superstition. This right was exercised by declaring that a celestial phenomenon had been observed by them, and that it was no longer permitted to deliberate. Jupiter darting thunder or rain, all treating on affairs with the people must be stopped; such was the text of the law, religious or political, published in 597. It was not necessary that it should thunder or rain, in fact; the affirmation of a magistrate qualified to observe the sky being enough. (Cicero, Oration for Sextius, 15.—Oration on the Consular Provinces, 19.)—(Asconius, In Piso, p. 9, ed. Orelli.)—(Orelli, Indices to his edition of Cicero, VIII. 126.)—(Index Legum, articles Laws Ælia and Fusia.)