The comitia tributa in the latter days of the
republic acquired supreme importance, though
the comitia centuriata, with tneir altered and
more democratical constitution, still contin-
ued to exist, and preserved a great prart of
their former power along with the comitia of
the tribes. During this time the latter ap-
pear to have been chiefly attended by the
populace, which was guided by the tribunes,
and the wealthier and more respectable citi-
zens had little influence in them. When the
libertiniand all the Italians were incorporated
in the old thirty-five tribes, and when the po-
litical corruption had reached its height, no
trace of the sedate and moderate character
was left by which the comitia tributa had
been distinguished in former times. Violence
and bribery became the order of the day, and
the needy multitude lent willing ears to any
instigations coming from wealthy bribers and
tribunes who were mere demagogues. Sulla
for a time did away with these odious pro-
ceedings ; since, according to some, he abol-
ished the comitia tributa altogether, or, ac-
cording to others, deprived them of the right
of electing the sacerdotes, and of all their
legislative and judicial powers. But the con-
stitution, such as it had existed before Sulla,
was restored soon after his death by Pompey
and others, with the exception of the juris-
dictio, which was for ever taken from the
people by the legislation of Sulla. The peo-
ple suffered another loss in the dictatorship
of J. Caesar, who decided upon peace and
war himself in connection with tne senate.
