Rogatio

In the Roman republic, a '''' (from Latin , "ask, place a question before") is a proposed piece of legislation. All legislation during the republic was moved before an assembly of the people. The rogatio'' procedure underscores the fact that the Roman Senate could issue decrees, but was not a legislative body. Only the people, organised in an assembly, could pass legislation.

A magistrate with the could call a , an informal assembly of the people, before which he could announce new legislation. A bill's proposer was its ; a supporter was an . After a magistrate promulgated a bill, under the of 98 BC, a had to elapse. A meant three market days. Immediately before an assembly was called to vote on a bill, a special was called so that a debate on the proposal could be held. Once that debate was over, the immediately became the assembly that could vote on the matter.