But while in these voting-assemblies, the -comitia-, though they were far from dealing strictly in the matter of qualification, it was on the whole burgesses alone that appeared, in the mere popular assemblages on the other hand--the -contiones---every one in the shape of a man was entitled to take his place and to shout, Egyptians and Jews, street- boys and slaves.

Such a "meeting" certainly had no significance in the eyes of the law; it could neither vote nor decree.

But it practically ruled the street, and already the opinion of the street was a power in Rome, so that it was of some importance whether this confused mass received the communications made to it with silence or shouts, whether it applauded and rejoiced or hissed and howled at the orator.

Not many had the courage to lord it over the populace as Scipio Aemilianus did, when they hissed him on account of his expression as to the death of his brother-in-law.

"Ye," he said, "to whom Italy is not mother but step-mother, ought to keep silence!" and when their fury grew still louder, "Surely you do not think that I will fear those let loose, whom I have sent in chains to the slave-market ?" That the rusty machinery of the comitia should be made use of for the elections and for legislation, was already bad enough.