When the people of Rome freed themselves from the shackles of their tyrannical monarchy in approximately 509BCE, in its place a republic took hold, supposedly one which would give a better life for the citizens of Rome. The actuality of the early days of the republic, however, was an increase in patrician power, but no equal increase in the plebeian power. This difference in fortunes led to a period of instability in early Rome known as the ‘conflict of the orders’, characterised by a mistrust between the two social classes within Rome, and resulting in a slow-moving concession of power towards the plebeian class. In this short essay I want to look closely at the first of three secessions that the plebeians threated in order to achieve their aims towards a fairer society. To do this the essay will be split into three sections; the first highlighting the position of the orders within Roman society immediately following the end of the Roman monarchy, the second examining the concession that had been made through that secession and the third briefly looking at what more needed to be done.
The Birth of the Republic
Following the expulsion of the last king of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, in around 509 BCE (Mark, 2009), the make-up of Rome was comprised of a plebeian class, or common people, and the generally wealthier and powerful patrician class. The monarchy had fallen thanks to the combined efforts of both classes and yet the first incarnation of the republic only increased the power of the patricians at the expense of the plebs. There had been no representation of their interests introduced by the new political offices but also, and more importantly for the first secession that would come as a result, there had been no efforts t...
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...een an important part of Roman history, granting rights to a class of people that would come to be an incredibly influential part of that society. The use of their numbers to gain concessions was also very interesting, recognising their power to withold an army and therefore an effective defense for those who held the traditional reins of power.
Reference:
• Gill, N.S. (2015) “Secession of the Plebs” about education. Retrieved from http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romeancientrome/a/12tablets_2.htm
• Mark, J.J. (2009) “Ancient Rome”, Ancient History Encyclopaedia. Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/Rome/
• McManus, B.F. (n.d.) “Conflict of Orders: Fifth to Fourth Centuries BCE”. Retrieved from http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/orders.html
• Morey, W.C. (1901) “Outlines of Roman History”, forumromanum.org. Retrieved from http://www.forumromanum.org/history/index.html
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In 509 BC, the Tarquin line of kings was drawn from power and Rome began its stand as a Republic. The changes in the government and society of Rome were immense and were for the improvement of the city and its people. This aspiring new Republic did not flourish overnight into the perfect society; with the birth of the Republic came many new problems. Yet, it would be hard to imagine our modern society which we deem as democratic and just, not resting on the pillars and foundations that the Roman Republic gave us of their ideas on government branches with a system of checks and balances as well as the code of law created by the Romans.
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The Fall of the Republic was more than a solitary man or occasion. It was a perfection of a few individual activities or accomplishments, combined with social conditions that weighed vigorously on Roman culture. Furthermore, gigantic and quick development from Rome 's establishment as a juvenile city 700 years prior until the mid first century BC, made fantastic openings in the political and administering capacity of the Senate. Times of security were blended in with those of close fall while effective commanders or inciters of the Roman horde maneuver for position. Starting with the Punic Wars and Roman success outside of Italy, trailed by huge importation of slaves, the substance of Roman life was changing much more quickly than the administering
The Roman Republic (Res Pvblica Romana) was a form of republican government that was established in 509 BCE to replace the monarchy government that had reigned over Rome since the founding in 753BCE (Steele, 2012). The Failure of the Roman Republic was inevitable as it was an unjust system of government and it was left vulnerable after the attempted changes instigated by the Gracchi, as the Gracchi exposed the weaknesses in the political structure allowing future politicians to manipulate the system. The sources used throughout the essay, which include Plutarch, Appian, Florus and Velleius, will need to be examined closely as each source will demonstrate different views on the Gracchi, as the authors purpose of writing will differ. The Gracchi had set out to change Rome for the better, however in the process; they exposed the internal flaws of the government which resulted in the beginning of the decline of the Roman Republic.
Heichelheim, Fritz, Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen M. Ward. A History Of The Roman People. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1984.
Rome's Republican era began after the overthrow of the last Roman King Tarquin Superbus by Lucius Brutus in 509 BC(1), the Senate was ruled the by the people of Rome. The Roman Republic was governed by a largely complex constitution, which established many checks and balances, so no man could have complete control. The evolution of the constitution was heavily influenced by the struggle between the patricians and the other prominent Romans who were not from the nobility. Early in Rome’s history, the patricians controlled the republic, over time, the laws that allowed these individuals to dominate the government were repealed, and the result was the emergence of a the republic which depended on the structure of society, rather than the law, to maintain its dominance. This is similar to the creation of the American system of government. Starting with the over throw of t...
3)Gwynn, David M. The Roman Republic: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2012. Print.
The rivalry between the patricians and plebeians in ancient Rome was mainly economical. The patricians were the higher class of society who controlled wealth. They were the minority. The majority were the commoners or plebeians. The plebeians played a key important role in ancient Roman society as they were the backbone of the roman territory and defending it was a task they were looked up to. The peace and security of Rome means the Plebeians must be willing to fight in the army. And for them to be able to fight, the class discrimination they faced which was mainly based on economic differentiation must not be translated into political differentiation. The plebeians did indeed face political discrimination as a result of their social class based on wealth. The political discrimination saw Rome through many upheavals and challenge by the plebeians to the status quo in a bid to impose change and better their political voice and economic situation. The unity of both classes of ancient Rome-namely the Patricians and Plebeians- in getting rid of monarchy did not translate to unity after the mission was successful. The Patricians were at advantage as they got better political and economic gains in ancient Rome.
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"The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Roman Republican System." Thesis. Oxbridge. The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Roman Republican System. Amazonaws. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. .