What Were the 12 Tribes of Rome?

The 12 Tribes of Rome were the traditional divisions of the ancient city-state. These tribes, also known as “Tribus,” played a significant role in the political, military, and social life of Rome. Understanding the organization and characteristics of each tribe is essential to grasp the complexities of ancient Roman society.

Origins and Purpose

The origins of the 12 Tribes can be traced back to the early days of Rome when it was still a small village. According to legend, Romulus, one of the city’s founders, divided the population into three tribes: Ramnes (Romans), Tities (Sabines), and Luceres (Etruscans). Each tribe consisted of ten curiae, which were further divided into smaller units called gentes.

Fun Fact: The name “tribe” is derived from “tribus,” which means division in Latin.

Political Significance

The tribes had both political and military functions. They formed the basis for voting in assemblies and served as a way to organize and mobilize Rome’s citizenry during times of war. Each tribe had its own assembly called a comitia tributa, where political decisions were made.

Did you know? The citizens of Rome were required to be members of one of the tribes in order to vote or hold public office.

Social Structure

Besides their political significance, the tribes also played a role in defining an individual’s social identity. Membership in a particular tribe determined an individual’s rights, obligations, and privileges within Roman society.

• Plebeians: The majority of Roman citizens belonged to one of four urban tribes known as “tribus urbanae.” These tribes mainly consisted of plebeians, the common people.
• Patricians: The patricians, the noble and aristocratic class, were divided among the remaining eight rural tribes known as “tribus rusticae.”

The Twelve Tribes

The twelve tribes were eventually established during the time of Servius Tullius, the sixth king of Rome. Each tribe was named after a specific legendary figure or prominent family. Here is a list of the twelve tribes:

1. Tribus Romilia (Romilius)
2. Tribus Titiensis (Tities)
3. Tribus Lucerina (Luceres)
4. Tribus Suburana (Subura)
5. Tribus Esquilina (Esquilinus)
6. Tribus Collina (Collinus)
7. Tribus Palatina (Palatinus)
8. Tribus Sabatina (Sabatia)
9. Tribus Aemiliana (Aemilius)
10. Tribus Voltinia (Voltinius)
11. Tribus Pollia (Pollia)
    Tribus Galeria (Galerius)
    

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