The senate referred the decision to the popular assembly .
The senate also decreed that whichever was chosen should also exercise additional duties , including presiding over the markets , establish a merchants ' guild , and exercising the functions of the pontifex maximus .
The senate referred the decision to the popular assembly , and also decreed that whichever was chosen should also exercise additional duties , including presiding over the markets , establish a merchants ' guild , and exercising the functions of the pontifex maximus .