1. Tribunes of the Plebeians (Ancient Rome):
* This was a powerful political office in the Roman Republic. Tribunes were elected by the plebeians (common people) to represent their interests and protect them from the power of the patricians (aristocrats).
* They had the right to veto laws passed by the Senate and to convene assemblies of the plebeians.
* They also had the power to summon the Senate and to call for the impeachment of officials.
* The tribunes' most significant achievement was the establishment of the Twelve Tables, the first written code of Roman law.
2. Military Tribunes (Ancient Rome):
* This was a military office in the Roman Republic and Empire.
* They were officers who commanded legions or other units of the Roman army.
* The title "tribune" could be held by both patricians and plebeians.
* There were different types of military tribunes, such as tribunes of the legion, tribunes of the cohorts, and tribunes of the cavalry.
3. Tribune (General Sense):
* In a more general sense, a tribune can be any person who speaks for or represents a particular group or cause.
* This meaning is often used in modern contexts, such as a "tribune of the people" or a "tribune of the oppressed".
4. Tribune (Architecture):
* In architecture, a tribune is a raised platform or gallery in a church or other building.
* It is often used for seating or for a specific purpose, such as a choir or a pulpit.
To understand the precise meaning of "tribunes," you need to consider the context in which it is used.