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Roman Debate Roles

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Roles

Senators

The Senators are the primary debaters. Chances are, you’ll be one of them. All of you have to speak at least once before the open debate can take place. The Senate can’t adjourn until everyone’s spoken either. The order you speak in is decided by lottery. Remember that you don’t have to take someone else’s side. You can propose your own plan or advocate for someone else’s. When the Senate votes to end the meeting and adjourn, you’ll be one of the people that decides which policy wins. Don’t say irrelevant or inappropriate things, or the Censor might strike down your proposition. Also, consider the effects of your policy on the commoners lest the tribune veto your proposal. Finally, obey the rules. If you don’t, the praetor(s) might issue a warning or even silence you and take away your vote!

Senators' Roles in a List:

  • The debaters

  • At least 3, 5+ preferably.

  • Lottery decides the order of speaking. In reduced form, another method may be used to determine the order (rock-scissor-paper is a good option).

  • Must determine what you will argue for as others are speaking.

  • There are NO decided sides: you may choose a previously established stance or choose to propose a new one.

  • After every senator has gone, the debate may proceed freely. Only one member may speak at a time.

  • After debate is finished, are the ones that vote.

  • Preferably, there should be an odd number of senators.

  • Senators can abstain from voting.

  • Senators can also abstain from speaking after every senator has spoken.

Tribune of the Plebs

The Tribune of the Plebs, or just Tribune, is a special position. You represent the interests of the average Roman. In other words, it’s your job to think about the citizens and non-citizens of Rome that the Senate’s decisions will impact. How will declaring war on Carthage affect a baker’s family? Consider these things and veto any proposal that you think would harm the Roman people. Use your veto sparingly; the praetor(s) might call you out if you abuse your power. You also have to explain why you’re vetoing, so prepare an argument.

The Tribune's Role in List Form:

  • Only 1 (0 in reduced form)

  • CANNOT vote

  • Must consider the Roman people’s needs and reactions to a proposal

  • May choose to veto a proposal if they think it is against the people’s interest (must be validated by praetor).

  • Chosen by lottery*

Censor

The Censor is the regulator. If someone steps out of line, it’s your job to stop them. Stay vigilant for inappropriate or irrelevant discussions. Remember that your decision has to be approved by the praetor(s), so make sure you have a convincing reason for your accusation.

The Censor's Role in Liszt (kek) Form:

  • Always only 1

  • Chosen by lottery*

  • CANNOT vote

  • Decides if something said was inappropriate or irrelevant to the debate and argues for why it should be struck down. If it was, the senator is given a warning and the solution is annulled IF the decision is approved by the praetor (see below). If a senator offends twice, the praetor can vote to silence the senator for the rest of the debate and strip them of their vote.

Praetor(s)

The Praetor(s) are the judges. It’s up to you to decide if everyone’s following the rules. Any decision by the Censor or Tribune has to get by you, so listen to their arguments and the senators. Stay alert during the debate; after all, you never know when a Tribune might veto a proposal or a Censor might call out improper conduct. You also can issue warnings to senators who are caught by the Censor and, if they get called out again, silence them for the rest of the debate and remove their vote. Also, if the final vote on resolutions is tied, then you are the tiebreaker.

The Praetor(s)' Role in List Form:

  • The judge(s)

  • Either 0, 1, or 3 members

  • Decides if the decisions of the tribune of the plebs and the censor are valid. Can also silence and revoke the vote of repeat-offending senators.

  • Has the final say in the case of a tie

  • If there are three, the majority wins

Roles by # of People

In case there aren't enough people to conduct a proper Roman Debate, here is a list of the roles people should take based on the number of people in available. Text highlighted in green is for reduced form:

  • 1~2: debate not possible

  • 3: 3 senators

  • 4: 3 senators, 1 praetor

  • 5: 3 senators, 1 praetor, 1 censor

  • 6: 3 senators, 1 praetor, 1 censor, 1 tribune

  • 7: 4 senators, 1 praetor, 1 censor, 1 tribune

  • 8: 1 censor, 1 tribune, either 5 senators and 1 praetor or 3 senators and 3 praetors

  • 9+: 3 praetors, 1 censor, 1 tribune, rest are senators
     

*Please see Q2 of the Q & A Page for an exception.

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