Tresviri capitales

Role

The Tresviri Capitales managed the police in Ancient Rome. They were somewhat feared by the citizens of Rome. Although the Tresviri Capitales had criminal jurisdiction over the people of Rome, they did not have judicial jurisdiction. They dispensed justice in the forum, supervised executions, and castigated thieves and slaves. Also, they, along with the aediles, organized special guard troops dedicated to arresting criminals. Although they could only do this with a mandate from the Senate and other higher magistrates. The Tresviri Capitales most likely handled ordinary crimes that would not be handled by the Popular Assembly or Courts. Another explanation is that thieves caught whilst stealing would be brought to the Tresviri Capitales, to whom the criminal would then confess or deny his crime. Aside from policing Rome, they also arrested and punished runaway slaves. However, this does not necessarily mean the Tresviri Capitales searched for the slaves. Fines and fees for starting lawsuits would be collected by the Tresviri Capitales. Another legal duty of the Tresviri Capitales was managing Roman prisons. The Tresviri Capitales were one group responsible for firefighting in Rome. They organized nightly patrols. The people of Rome condemned the Tresviri Capitales for neglecting their responsibility of firefighting on an unknown occasion. This occasion was likely the Great Fire of Rome.