Note 240 — Chapter XV · THE ROMANS

396The contio was a formal assembly of citizens, called by a magistrate holding imperium. The purpose was generally to hear projected legislation either favorably or unfavorably discussed. No one spoke except the magistrate or those whom he designated. The contio took no action except to indicate its assent by acclamation, or its dissent equally emphatically. At the actual legislative assembly, for which the contiones were preparations, no discussion whatever took place. The law was presented to be accepted or refused. It will be seen that a mass of Orientals who less than two years before had been Aramaic-speaking slaves can scarcely have been a power in such gatherings as these.