Class Struggle and Equality in Ancient Rome

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The plebeians were the members of the general population. The patricians were the aristocracy. After the exile of the kings, the patricians ruled Rome. There were significant economic and political differences between the plebeian and the patrician classes. It was the abuse of power by the patricians that caused the dissent among the plebeian class. This dissent led to multiple instances of revolt by the plebeians. The first step towards removing the inequality between the classes occurred with the first secession. Subsequent hurdles were overcome as the patrician class recognized their need for the plebeian class. At the end, these revolts led to an equality between the two classes.

From a political perspective, after the monarchy …show more content…

The plebeians returned from service to Rome only to find their farms were largely destroyed. These conditions drove the plebeians into a perpetual state of indebtedness to the wealthy patricians. If the debt was not paid, the plebeian was subject to arrest, imprisonment and potential …show more content…

The laws which governed debt were changed. All unpaid debts were declared removed, and those put in prison due to debts were released. Further, four new political positions were created. Two were called tribunes and were appointed by the plebeians. The other two were called aediles. The aediles were assistants to the tribunes and were also appointed by the plebeians. The tribunes had the power to cancel, “the act of any magistrate which bore unjustly upon any citizen”. (Morey, 1900), and while exercising their powers, the tribunes could not go to prison.

Generations would pass and many more revolts would take place before the plebeians became equals with the patricians and Rome was a united people. Some of the obstacles included the right to intermarry, the right own land and the right to be elected into high political positions. The second major secession took place in 448BC and “resulted in making the plebeians more respected than they had been before.” (Morey, 1900). True equality between the two classes was not achieved until around the time of the First Samnite War in 343

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