<P> Tribunus plebis , rendered in English as tribune of the plebs , tribune of the people , or plebeian tribune , was the first office of the Roman state that was open to the plebeians , and throughout the history of the Republic , the most important check on the power of the Roman Senate and magistrates . These tribunes had the power to convene and preside over the Concilium Plebis , or people 's assembly ; to summon the senate ; to propose legislation ; and to intervene on behalf of plebeians in legal matters ; but the most significant power of these tribunes was the power to veto the actions of the consuls and other magistrates , thus protecting the interests of the plebeians as a class . The tribunes of the plebs were sacrosanct , meaning that any assault on their person was prohibited by law . In imperial times , the powers of the tribunate were granted to the emperor as a matter of course , and the office itself lost its independence and most of its functions . During the day the tribunes used to sit on the tribune benches on the Forum Romanum . </P>
what powers did a tribune allow the plebeians to exercise
convene and preside over the Concilium Plebis , or people 's assembly summon the senate propose legislation intervene on behalf of plebeians in legal matters power to veto the actions of the consuls and other magistrates