Note 1752 — Chapter X · THE PRINCIPATE
Reading edition
Juvenal vii. 228 “Rara tamen merces, quae cognitione tribuni Non egeat.” The words doubtless mean “which does not lead to the appellatio.” In such a case even the Republican tribunes took “cognisance” of the merits of the appeal. The explanation that the tribunes were now given some extraordinary jurisdiction in civil cases is unnecessary.