2/14 The king named the first senator, who was called prince of the senate, and appointed him to the government of the city, whenever war required his own absence. The patricians, who composed the third part of the legislature, assumed to themselves the power of authorising those laws which were passed by the king, or the senate. All things relative to peace or war, to the election of magistrates, and even to the choosing a king, were confirmed by suffrages in their assemblies. The plebeians were to till the fields, feed cattle, and follow trades; but not to have any share in the government, to avoid the inconveniences of a popular power. The first care of the new-created king was, to attend to the interests of religion. |