According to Polybius, what are the three elements of the Roman constitution? What are some the powers of each element?

Leonid Kolker, Ph.D.

The Romans, according to
the Histories of Polybius, had three forms
of government,
though the Roman constitution was never codified as a written document. All
the
functions were distributed among the three so equitably that it was
impossible to establish
whether Romes government was monarchic, aristocratic
or democratic.

Polybius
shows which functions pertain to
each form of the government. Thus, the Consuls represent the
monarchic
element, the Senate the aristocratic, and the people the democratic. This state
of
affairs was characteristic of the golden age of Rome and, with some
changes, persisted to
Polybiuss times.

All people and all
officials, except the tribunes of the
people, are in subjection to the
Consuls. They report to the Senate on all matters, present
envoys to the
Senate, and are responsible for carrying out the Senates decrees (Book 6,
chapter
12). They also convene assemblies and have unlimited authority in
matters of war. They can
subject to punishment
anyone...

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