2. TRIUMVIRI CAPITALES were regular magistrates, first appointed
about B.C. 292. They were elected by the people, the comitia being
held by the praetor. They succeeded to many of the functions of the
Quaestores Parricidii. [QUAESTOR.] It was their duty to inquire into
all capital crimes, and to receive informations respecting such, and
consequently they apprehended and committed to prison all criminals
whom they detected. In conjunction with the aediles, they had to
preserve the public peace, to prevent all unlawful assemblies, &c.
They enforced the payment of fines due to the state. They had the
care of public prisons, and carried into effect the sentence of the
law upon criminals. In these points they resembled the magistracy of
the Eleven at Athens.
4. TRIUMVIRI COLONIAE DEDUCENDAE were persons appointed to
superintend the formation of a colony. They are spoken of under
COLONIA, p. 99, _b_. Since they had besides to superintend the
distribution of the land to the colonists, we find them also called
_Triumviri Coloniae Deducendae Agroque Dividundo_, and sometimes
simply _Triumviri Agro Dando_.