Conflict of Orders

First Secession of the Plebs

494 BCE

The patricians did not fulfill their promises to the plebeians. Therefore, the plebeians decided to send threats to the patricians. The outrage resulted in the gift of the Tribune, who had executive command to veto what the patricians decided.

Lex Publilia

471 BCE

The Lex Publilia officially acknowledges the Tribune of the Plebs and also transferred the power of electing tribunes from the Comitia Centruria to the Comitia Tributa, which is open to all citizens.

The Twelve Tables

450 BCE

The Plebeians wished for laws for everyone to follow. This led to the appointment of ten men who created twelve laws. These were the first written laws for the Romans.

Lex Valeria Horatia de Plebiscitis

449 BCE

These laws restored the right of appeal to the people and introduced measures which were favorable to the plebeians. It restored the powers of the plebeian tribune.

Second Secession of the Plebs

448 BCE

The plebeians secede from Rome as the ten men became corrupt. They went to the Sacred Mountain, which then forced the ten men to step down. The laws made by them, however, remained.

Creation of the Canuleian Law

445 BCE

The Canuleian law was passed, which allowed plebeians to hold any office in Rome.

Lincian Laws

367 BCE

This law stated that one of the two consuls must be a Plebeian. This gave plebeians a greater voice in government through their elected leader.

Publilian Laws

339 BCE

A law was passed making it mandatory that one of the two censors must be a plebeian. This law also bound all people of Rome to decisions made by the plebeian assembly.

Lex Ogulnia

300 BCE

Four additional pontifices were added from the ranks of the plebeians.

Resolution of the Conflict of Orders

287 BCE

In 287 BC the Council of the Plebs gained significant power over law-making in Rome. They abolished the requirement proposed laws had to be review by the patrician senators before the Council of the Plebs could look at them.