Conflict of Orders Project

By vincimus
  • First Secession of the Plebs
    494 BCE

    First Secession of the Plebs

    Plebeians left Rome and moved to the Mons Sacer to protest against the patricians' complete control over the government.
  • Tribune of the Plebs is Created
    494 BCE

    Tribune of the Plebs is Created

    The first government role given to the plebeians: they could propose and pass laws, but they only affected the plebeians.
  • Creation of the Twelve Tables
    450 BCE

    Creation of the Twelve Tables

    Twelve basic laws that served as the foundation of Roman legislation. These laws were written in stone for all to see and know.
  • Second Secession of the Plebs
    449 BCE

    Second Secession of the Plebs

    Plebeians left Rome and went to the Mons Sacer again to protest the corruption of the Decemviri and demand the Tribune of the Plebs be reinstated.
  • Third Secession of the Plebs
    445 BCE

    Third Secession of the Plebs

    Plebeians seceded again to protest the illegality of marriage between plebeians and patricians. The patricians didn't want plebeian blood in their families because they were considered the lower or working class.
  • Canuleian Law is Passed
    445 BCE

    Canuleian Law is Passed

    Plebeians became eligible to run for offices and hold government positions. Marriage between patricians and plebeians also became legal.
  • First Plebeian Consul
    367 BCE

    First Plebeian Consul

    Lucius Sextius was elected the first ever plebeian consul, signifying how far the plebeians had come in their struggle for power.
  • One of Two Consuls is Required to Be Plebeian
    342 BCE

    One of Two Consuls is Required to Be Plebeian

    Lex Genucia was a law created by Lucius Genucius, a Tribune of the Plebs, and it stated that one of the two consuls must always be plebeian.
  • Hortensian Law is Passed (Lex Hortensia)
    287 BCE

    Hortensian Law is Passed (Lex Hortensia)

    Laws created by plebians were effective on all Romans, including the patricians.
  • Fifth Secession of the Plebs
    287 BCE

    Fifth Secession of the Plebs

    Plebeians left Rome for the final time to protest against all the conquered Sabine land being given to the patricians. The plebeians went to Aventine Hill this time.