[758] P. 132.
[759] The notion sometimes expressed that the word applies more appropriately to a body of representatives of the component states of a league is without foundation, though it is true that some foreign concilia are of this character.
[760] P. 133.
[761] Ibid.
[762] P. 134.
[763] Thus is explained a phenomenon for which Mommsen could find no adequate reason—that the so-called “patricio-plebeian” tribal assembly was more apt to be called concilium than were the comitia centuriata. The deliberative feature of the concilium also explains the close approach of the word to contio—another fact which Mommsen knew but did not understand.
[764] Cf. p. 131. Notwithstanding all the confidence reposed by the moderns in this utterance of Laelius, ‘debet’ suggests that he is proposing an ideal distinction rather than stating an actual usage.
[765] P. 286, 292, 301 f.
[766] Corssen, Ausspr. i. 51; ii. 683; Vaniček, Griech.-lat. etym. Wörterb. 184; Walde, Lat. etym. Wörterb. 140; cf. SC de Bacch. in CIL. i. 196. 23: “In conventionid”; Fest. ep. 113: “In conventione in contio”; Commentaria Consularia, in Varro, L. L. vi. 88; Corp. Gloss. Lat. v. 280. 13; vi. 270, s. v.
[767] Sat. i. 16. 29: “Contra Iulius Caesar XVI auspiciorum libro negat nundinis contionem advocari posse, id est cum populo agi, ideoque nundinis Romanorum haberi comitia non posse;” cf. p. 125 f.