What is the Conflict of the Orders?

A period of unrest (494-287 BC) between the Plebeians and Patricians.

How did the Plebeians protest during the Conflict of the Orders?

They staged walkouts called secessions, refusing to work or live in Rome.

How reliable is Livy's account of the Conflict of the Orders?

Likely inaccurate. Livy may have based his stories on events from his own time period.

Why did Livy say the Plebeians were unhappy?

Livy claimed debt and homelessness caused by war made them unhappy.

Why do modern historians doubt Livy's explanation?

* Patricians wouldn't have had land left in the 2nd century if they stole it all in the 5th century. * War can offer opportunities, not just hardship. * We lack evidence to support Livy's specific events.

What story does Livy use to introduce the First Secession?

The story of a war veteran who returned home poor and in debt after fighting in the Wars of Independence.

What did the war veteran experience?

He lost his farm, had to borrow money for taxes, couldn't repay the loan, and was imprisoned and tortured.

How did the people of Rome react to the veteran's story?

They were angry and empathized with him because many were also in debt.

Who were the two Consuls at during the first secession?

Publius Servilius , who was sympathetic to the Plebeians and Appius Claudius who was harsh and wanted to use force.

What did Appius Claudius want to do with the protesting Plebeians?

He wanted to punish them for daring to protest.

What did Publius Servilius propose to do with the protesting Plebeians?

He wanted to compromise and offer debt relief to the Plebeians.

How did the Volscian attack impact the situation?

The Plebeians refused to fight unless the Senate addressed their debt issues.

What did Publius Servilius promise the Plebeians in exchange for their military service?

He promised to fight for debt relief and enacted an edict protecting soldiers and their families.

How did Appius Claudius betray the Plebeians?

He imprisoned the Plebeian debtors who fought in the war, despite Servilius' edict.

Why did Appius Claudius imprison the Plebeians?

Livy suggests it was due to his love of power and to undermine Servilius' authority.

What was the outcome for the two Consuls?

Servilius was disliked by all, while Appius Claudius was praised by the Patricians.

What caused unrest during the First Secession?

Appius Claudius imprisoned debtors and the Plebeians refused to fight.

Why did the Senate appoint a Dictator?

To deal with the Plebeian rebellion.

Who was Dictator Valerius?

A Consul elected to calm the situation, not Appius Claudius.

How did Dictator Valerius gain the trust of the Plebeians?

He assured them of their rights and protected them from punishment.

What was the outcome of the battles against the Volscians and Aequi?

Roman victory under Dictator Valerius.

Why did Dictator Valerius resign?

The Senate refused to address the Plebeians' debt issue.

Who led the Plebeians during the Secession on the Sacred Mount?

Sicinius, a soldier who fought under Dictator Valerius.

What did the Plebeians demand from the Senate?

Debt relief and a return to Rome.

Why did the Senate elect Menenius as Consul?

Because he was a Patrician with Plebeian ancestry, hoping to appeal to the Plebeians.

What metaphor did Menenius use to persuade the Plebeians?

He compared Rome to a body needing all its parts to function.

What was the role of a Tribune created by Sicinius?

A Plebeian representative in government to protect their rights.

How did the Senate feel about creating Tribunes?

They accepted it reluctantly.

Why did the Tribunes struggle to improve the lives of the Plebeians?

Many reasons: powerful Patricians like Coriolanus undermined them, some Tribunes like Spurius Cassius lost trust, and the Senate sometimes ignored them.

How did Coriolanus weaken the Tribunes?

He ignored their charges and challenged their power, making them look weak.

What mistake did Spurius Cassius make?

He tried to appease both sides (Plebeians and Patricians) and ended up being condemned by both.

Why did Volero Publilius criticize the Tribunes?

He felt they abandoned him when the Senate punished him and didn't stand up for him.

How did Gaius Terentilius challenge the power of the Tribunes?

He proposed limiting the power of Consuls, which could weaken the Tribunes' bargaining chip with the Senate.

Why did the Tribunes agree to drop Terentilius' demands?

If Plebeians could participate in choosing lawgivers, they might get fairer laws.

Which city inspired a more democratic government in Rome?

The democracy in Athens, where citizens could vote.

How did the First Decemvirate rule Rome?

Ten men took turns being in charge, one day each, and they created the first Ten Tables of Laws.

What made the Plebeians happy with the First Decemvirate?

The new laws protected them and Appius Claudius Crassus pretended to support them.

Why did the Senate create a Second Decemvirate?

They wanted to add two more laws to the Ten Tables.

How did Appius Claudius Crassus manipulate the Second Decemvirate?

He got himself and nine allies elected and used fear to control them.

How did the Second Decemvirate act differently from the First Decemvirate?

They were tyrants, acting like Kings and ignoring the rights of the Plebeians.

How did young Patrician men behave under the Second Decemvirate?

They abused the Plebeians with no fear of punishment.

Why did no Senators or Plebeians respond to Crassus' call for an army?

They were afraid of the Decemvirate and didn't support their rule.

What event led to the downfall of the Second Decemvirate?

The abduction of Virginia, a Plebeian woman, by Appius Claudius Crassus.

Who was Virginia?

A Plebeian girl engaged to a former Tribune who rejected Crassus' advances.

How did Crassus try to take advantage of Virginia?

He falsely accused her of being a slave to get her on trial.

What did Virginia's father do to protect her from Crassus?

He killed her to spare her from being raped.

What was the immediate consequence of Virginia's death?

The court was in chaos, and Verginius escaped to his army and encouraged them to seceed again.

Why did the Plebeians on the Aventine Hill only want to talk to Valerius and Horatius?

Because they were the only Senators who spoke out against the Decemvirate.

What were the demands of the Second Secession?

The return of Consuls and Tribunes, right of appeal, and amnesty for soldiers.

What happened to the Decemvirate after the Second Secession?

They resigned and some committed suicide to avoid prosecution.

Who were the new Consuls after the Second Secession?

Valerius and Horatius

What was the main purpose of the Valerio-Horatian Laws?

To reinstate the rights and protections of the Plebeians.

What right did the Valerio-Horatian Laws give back to the Plebeians?

The right of appeal

What new protection did the Valerio-Horatian Laws give to the Tribunes?

Legal status called inviolability, meaning protection from violence.

How did the rulings of the Plebeian Council change after the Second Secession?

Their rulings were now binding for all citizens, including Patricians.

What did the Twelve Tables do?

Confirmed the Ten Tables and made the laws public.

Were the Twelve Tables completely fair?

No, they didn't create equal rights for everyone.

What was an example of an unfair law in the Twelve Tables?

Law 11 banned marriage between plebeians and patricians.

How did Gaius Canuleius change the Twelve Tables?

He lifted the ban on marriage between plebeians and patricians.

What new right did Gaius Canuleius help the Plebeians gain after getting table 11 changed?

The right to stand for election as Military Tribunes.