The Roman Assemblies from Their Origin to the End of the Republic

Rome's public assemblies stand at the centre of George Willis Botsford's investigation of citizenship and constitutional power. Published in 1909, this study begins with the populus, the body of people who made up the state, and examines its early political divisions. Tribal organization, social classes and the religious practices attached to public business provide the groundwork for understanding how the assemblies operated. Botsford explains his method of weighing ancient sources and testing established interpretations against the evidence.

The larger part of the volume follows the organization, procedures and functions of the assemblies through the Republic. Legislative and judicial powers receive separate attention, alongside the preparation and preservation of statutes. Extensive references, a bibliography and an index support its use as a study companion. For readers of ancient history, the book offers a detailed account of the institutions through which Roman citizens participated in government.