There are many who would argue that Republican Rome was blatantly an oligarchy disguised as a democracy. This is beside the point. Historians today acknowledge that the roman world was structured carefully, if not occasionally precariously, around ideals and traditions. If those who happened to sit in an oligarchic position were conscious of Rome’s supposed true nature, and it is entirely probable that they were aware, they concealed their aristocratic ‘rights’ behind the morals of the Republic.

To all intents and purposes Rome was a free and democratic republic for, on paper at least, it is clear that each man in Rome had a voice. Whether or not it could be heard over the devious upper-class politics is another matter. The point was that each male citizen had the right to vote both on legislation and in the elections of government officials which meant that Rome was a direct democracy and not simply representative. In practice it was rare that an everyday ‘man on the street’ would be able to vote as all votes were cast in Rome. Only those with the finances to do so would be able to leave their homes and their work for a few days to attend the assemblies. Thus, the government was commonly in the hands of a narrow band of wealthy citizens who had the leisure of voting in the popular assemblies.

Comitia Curiata

This ancient assembly was rarely convoked. It is important to remember that voting was not done individually but in groups. One of the differences between assemblies was in how the voting groups were organised. The comitia curiata was composed of 30 curiae, ten from each of the three ancient tribes of Rome; Tities, Ramnes and Luceres.

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