Note 8 — INDEX
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Footnote 8:
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The fact that commentators and historians differ in their enumeration of the forms of government that ruled in Rome is often a source of confusion to ordinary readers. Hence an explanation is necessary. Rome was first ruled by kings, and therefore the first form of government is designated by either the term Kings or the term Regal Power. Upon the expulsion of the kings and the formation of the republic, the royal power was entrusted to two men who held it for a year, and were called consuls. In times of great public danger the consuls were superseded by a special officer called a dictator, who had supreme power. As the early life of the republic was often threatened with grave dangers, Rome was often governed by a dictator; hence this form of government is sometimes called the Dictatorship. The third form was the Decemviri, a government by ten men, who compiled the twelve famous Tables of Laws. In 444 B.C. another change was made by the appointment of Military Tribunes (whose numbers varied) with consular power. These were frequently called Consuls. The fifth form was the Triumvirate, a government by three men. The sixth was the Imperial. Hence the different forms can be enumerated thus: 1. The Regal Power, or Kings. 2. Consula or Dictators. 3. Decemvirate. 4. Military Tribunes, Tribunes, or Consuls. 5. Triumvirate. 6. Imperial. The seventh form will be considered in another place. See remarks on chap. 17:7-11.