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Jan 1, 1111
616 B.C.E. - 509 B.C.E.
During this time Rome was ruled by the Etruscans. Rome was divided into two parts, the Patricians, and the Plebeians. The patricians were wealthy citizens and almost like Aristocrats in their political and wealth standpoint. The Plebeians were almost all peasants, laborers, and shopkeepers. They could do nothing about politics. Plebeians made up 95% of the Roman population. -
Jan 1, 1218
509 B.C.E. - 494 B.C.E.
During this period the patricians come to a disliking of Etruscan rule. In 509 B.C.E. Lucius Junius Brutus drove the Etruscans away and created a republic. They put most of the power to the senate who served for life as judges and voters for government officials while advising the consuls. Two elected patricians were “consuls”, or people who command the army.
The new government was important and one step closer to democracy, but only patricians were allowed to do anything political. -
Jan 1, 1233
494 B.C.E. - 451 B.C.E.
Before this time, Rome is a republic but it is only ruled by patricians. So plebeians were not even treated like people. Patricians made the law, plebeians had to obey them, and since the patricians didn’t right the law down, they could manipulate to better the rich and worsen the poor. The poor had to fight for everything they wanted because they had no political rights. The fight between the two classes is known as “Conflict of Orders”. It was especially tense during war because plebeians -
Jan 1, 1276
451 B.C.E. - 287 B.C.E.
The plebeian’s revolt lead many changes for example in the plebeians demanded laws be written down so patricians couldn’t change them. In 451 B.C.E. it happened. -
Jan 1, 1440
287 B.C.E. -
Finally there is an air of equality. In 287 B.C.E. the plebeians are allowed to vote and pass laws. They can become consuls, tribunes, and be part of something called the Citizens Association. Rome is now ruled by a government called a constitution, where the people follow a basic set of laws.
