Publius Postumius Tubertus

Publius Postumius Tubertus, the son of Quintus, was the first of the patrician gens Postumia to obtain the consulship, which he held in 505 BC, the fifth year of the Roman Republic. Together with his colleague, Marcus Valerius Volusus, he fought against the Sabines, whom they defeated decisively near Tibur, obtaining a triumph.

Postumius was consul for the second time in 503 BC. Livius records that he fought and defeated the Aurunci and the town of Pometia, obtaining a second triumph. Other authorities state that he fought against the Sabines again, at first with little success, but that he was eventually victorious, and was awarded an Ovation, or lesser triumph, which he celebrated on 3 April 503 BC. This was the first occasion that this honour was bestowed upon a magistrate of the Roman Republic.

In 494 BC, Postumius was one of ten ambassadors sent by the Senate to treat with the plebs gathered on the Mons Sacer during the first secession. The envoys successfully negotiated to forgive some of the debt owed by the plebs and established the office of the Tribuni Plebis, or "Tribunes of the People", who received the power to veto acts of the Magistrates and the Senate.

In consequence of his deeds and reputation, Postumius and his descendants were accorded the privilege of being buried within the city walls.

See also

• Postumia (gens)

References

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Preceded by Spurius Lartius and Titus Herminius Aquilinus	Consul of the Roman Republic with Marcus Valerius Volusus 505 B.C.	Succeeded by Publius Valerius Poplicola and Titus Lucretius Tricipitinus
Preceded by Publius Valerius Poplicola and Titus Lucretius Tricipitinus	Consul of the Roman Republic with Agrippa Menenius Lanatus 503 B.C.	Succeeded by Opiter Verginius Tricostus and Spurius Cassius Viscellinus