The "civitates peregrinae" were often ruled by the descendants of the aristocracies that dominated them when they were independent entities in the pre-conquest era, although many of these may have suffered severe diminution of their lands during the invasion period. These elites would dominate the "civitas" council and executive magistracies, which would be based on traditional institutions. They would decide disputes according to tribal customary law. If the chief town of a "civitas" was granted "municipium" status, the elected leaders of the "civitas", and, later, the entire council (as many as 100 men), were automatically granted citizenship.