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Moving Toward Democracy
The struggle between patrician and plebeian is very much like the early
popular struggles in Greece against the nobles, only in Italy the struggle went on
for a long time. Economic and social problems were on the rise in Rome, much like
they had been in Greece. Attempts at an establishment of a tyranny also were
found in fifth century BC Rome. Then there followed a long series of
constitutional changes and additions which seemed to grant the people more power,
recognition and protection.
Early in the fifth century BC, the people gained the right to elect tribunes, who had the right to veto any of the acts by the consuls, Senate, or even the Assembly. This eventually brought about the codification of the law, along with a
second, more democratic assembly. Social equality was somewhat being attained by
legalizing marriage between patrician and plebeian.
By 300 BC, every office was made available to the plebeians. Higher offices
and the privilege of belonging to the Senate. It was an early established custom
that certain higher officials automatically became members of the Senate when
their service was complete. Finally, the Senate lost its power of veto over the
popular Assembly, and the people found themselves in control of the state.
The fight over the orders left its mark upon the Roman constitution yet Rome
remained an aristocratic state, for the new office holders became the new
nobility and, by control of the elections, kept the offices well among themselves. In
this aristocracy, the Senate remained the controlling body because of its
permanence and because the officials would later become senators and therefore
could not afford to offend the Senate. It was under the strong leadership of the
Senate that Rome had her steady rise to power.
The History of Rome - Part One 743 - 136 B.C. © Bible History Online (http://www.bible-history.com) |