The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

COMITIA

With the Romans, the comitia were assemblies of the people in which such public business was transacted as the election of magistrates, the passing of laws, etc. These were of three kinds: (1) The comitia curiata, or assemblies of the patrician houses or populus in wards or curioe. (2) The comitia centuriata, or assemblies of the whole Roman people, including patricians, clients, and plebeians in divisions called centuries. These assemblies are said to have been instituted by King Servius Tullius as a counterpoise to the powers of the comitia curiata. After the institution of the centuriata the functions of the curiata were almost confined to the election of priests, and the confirmation of dignities imposed by the people. The centuriata had the election of consuls, the
deciding on war, the acceptance of rejection of laws, etc. (3) The comitia tributa, or assemblies of the plebeian tribes only. The tributa were instituted not long after the expulsion of the kings, and originally transacted matters pertaining to the plebeians alone, but latterly had wider functions, electing the inferior magistrates, etc.
Research Comitia