After the struggle against the kingship and its subsequent overthrow, the fruits of victory mainly fell upon the patricians. Rome became an aristocratic republic, and power was held mainly in the hands of the upper class. While the plebeians still had some power in the way of voting in the comitia centuriata (a military assembly), they could neither hold any new offices, nor sit in senate (Morey, 1901). Also, as with many aristocracies, the patrician rule was selfish and domineering. This resulted in a long and terrible struggle between both sides as the plebeians fought to gain equality. This assignment will seek to address how the economic and political differences between the patricians and plebeians ultimately led to plebeian revolt.
Conflict began with the struggle for a more equal distribution of wealth. The late wars had left many plebeians in poverty; when serving in the army, farms were either neglected or ravaged by enemies, families were driven from their homes, and properties were destroyed. Thus, many plebeians were deprived of their means of subsistence and fell into a deplorable state of poverty. On the other hand, the patricians mostly lived in the city, thus, their properties were protected by the city walls …show more content…
With the vast difference in political and economic status between patricians and plebeians, it’s a given that dissatisfaction would arise one way or another. This dissatisfaction of the lower classes, however, was compounded by the fact that the patricians were as selfish and oppressive as the kings both had united to overthrow. With the continuous disrespect of the plebeians, and their lack of any substantial rights, revolt was simply inevitable. Even though the results of the first secession led to slight progress towards equality, it was not after several more revolts and long periods of struggle that the plebeians and patricians would finally be able to achieve equality and live
Conflict began with the struggle for a more equal distribution of wealth. The late wars had left many plebeians in poverty; when serving in the army, farms were either neglected or ravaged by enemies, families were driven from their homes, and properties were destroyed. Thus, many plebeians were deprived of their means of subsistence and fell into a deplorable state of poverty. On the other hand, the patricians mostly lived in the city, thus, their properties were protected by the city walls …show more content…
With the vast difference in political and economic status between patricians and plebeians, it’s a given that dissatisfaction would arise one way or another. This dissatisfaction of the lower classes, however, was compounded by the fact that the patricians were as selfish and oppressive as the kings both had united to overthrow. With the continuous disrespect of the plebeians, and their lack of any substantial rights, revolt was simply inevitable. Even though the results of the first secession led to slight progress towards equality, it was not after several more revolts and long periods of struggle that the plebeians and patricians would finally be able to achieve equality and live