- The Comitia Curiata was the Curiate Assembly. (Curia from the Latin Co-viria meant an association of men).
- It was the main Assembly for the first 20 years of the Roman Republic but then lost power to the other two Assemblies, the Comitia Centuriata and the Comitia Tributa.
Functions
- Legislative.
- Witnessing Wills.
- Confirming Adoptions, such as Julius Ceasar‘s adoption of Octavian.
- Confirming changes of Status, such as from Plebeian to Patrician, or the other way around.
- Ratifying the Elections of the Consuls and Praetors mandated by the Lex Curiata de Imperio.
- The Lex Curiata de Imperio was technically the Law confirming the right of Senior Magistrates to hold Imperium when evoked, although the confirmation of Imperium was actually done by the Comitia Centuriata.
Location of Meetings
- Comitium (Capitol), an open air meeting area in the northwestern part of the Forum Romanum.
Composition
- It was the Oldest Assembly, where only the Patricians could Vote, but had lost most of its power by the end of the Republic.
- Rome was divided into 30 Curia, 10 from each of the Three Tribes of Rome and headed by a Magistrate who was either a Consul or Praetor.
- In 218 BCE, the 30 Curia were replaced by 30 Lictors. Under the Republic most of its Powers were transferred to the other two assemblies Comitia Centuriata and the Comitia Tributa
- Organised on the basis of Clans or Families, and it retained jurisdiction over Family Affairs
Voting
- Originally open to all Roman Citizens who were allowed to vote.
- After 218 BCE, the Voters were not present.
Forum Romanum