Introduction
In the beginning of the Roman republic, two classes were at odds with each other. The wealthy class, the patricians, repeatedly asserted their power over the poor class, the plebeians. This led to the economical and political strife that stunted the plebeians. Consequently, these conditions resulted in the plebeians twice revolting to show their resentment of the authority they were held under.
Plebeians First Revolt
The plebeians first revolt came after Rome’s successful fight to abolish their King and start a new republic.When the plebeians returned from the war, their outlooks were quite grim. While they were away, their farms, unable to be kept up, fell into great disrepair and their property, lying outside the protection …show more content…
To this point, the law wasn’t written down and it was enforced by the patricians however they saw fit. This left the plebeians without the knowledge of Rome’s laws and what punishment would be given for their infractions. A tribune offers to collect and write down all of the laws, but the patricians refuse. This results in ten years of discontent and struggle, which finally ends in a compromise. Ten patricians would be elected as decemvirs and would write down the law for all to see. The first decemvirate did its job well but the second decemvirate went rogue. Motivated by their abhorrence of the Plebeians, they became oppressive rulers. They claimed power of life over death and refuse to step down after their term is finished. To top it all off, their leader, Appius Claudius, sought to acquire a plebeian girl, Virgina. plebeians and patricians weren't allowed by law to have relations or marry. Due to this, her father decided to kill poor Virgina to save her honor. This was reportedly the final straw. Between Virginia’s unfortunate plight and the tyrannical rule of the Decemvirate, the plebeians had enough. Having little protection from the Decemvirate and few personal rights, they decided to revolt and left once again for the Sacred Mount(Morey, …show more content…
The patricians had them backed into a corner with their oppression and I think it’s a natural instinct to find a way to get out. Since the plebeians life was so deplorable, they had little reason to stay because they risked very little if they left. On the other hand, the patricians had a lot to lose when the plebeians left. They let their power go to their head and neglected to see what an important role the plebeians play in their society. It took them a few revolts, but eventually they were able to work out how important it is to treat the plebeians with decency and
In the beginning of the Roman republic, two classes were at odds with each other. The wealthy class, the patricians, repeatedly asserted their power over the poor class, the plebeians. This led to the economical and political strife that stunted the plebeians. Consequently, these conditions resulted in the plebeians twice revolting to show their resentment of the authority they were held under.
Plebeians First Revolt
The plebeians first revolt came after Rome’s successful fight to abolish their King and start a new republic.When the plebeians returned from the war, their outlooks were quite grim. While they were away, their farms, unable to be kept up, fell into great disrepair and their property, lying outside the protection …show more content…
To this point, the law wasn’t written down and it was enforced by the patricians however they saw fit. This left the plebeians without the knowledge of Rome’s laws and what punishment would be given for their infractions. A tribune offers to collect and write down all of the laws, but the patricians refuse. This results in ten years of discontent and struggle, which finally ends in a compromise. Ten patricians would be elected as decemvirs and would write down the law for all to see. The first decemvirate did its job well but the second decemvirate went rogue. Motivated by their abhorrence of the Plebeians, they became oppressive rulers. They claimed power of life over death and refuse to step down after their term is finished. To top it all off, their leader, Appius Claudius, sought to acquire a plebeian girl, Virgina. plebeians and patricians weren't allowed by law to have relations or marry. Due to this, her father decided to kill poor Virgina to save her honor. This was reportedly the final straw. Between Virginia’s unfortunate plight and the tyrannical rule of the Decemvirate, the plebeians had enough. Having little protection from the Decemvirate and few personal rights, they decided to revolt and left once again for the Sacred Mount(Morey, …show more content…
The patricians had them backed into a corner with their oppression and I think it’s a natural instinct to find a way to get out. Since the plebeians life was so deplorable, they had little reason to stay because they risked very little if they left. On the other hand, the patricians had a lot to lose when the plebeians left. They let their power go to their head and neglected to see what an important role the plebeians play in their society. It took them a few revolts, but eventually they were able to work out how important it is to treat the plebeians with decency and