The Plebeian And Patrician Revolts In Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome was inhabited by two distinct groups of people, the plebeians and patricians, who were extremely different in terms of their economies, politics, and way of life. (Morey, n.d.). The stark contrast between these populations caused strife and ongoing disagreements (Morey, n.d.), which ultimately led to the first plebian revolt. The revolt was successful in some important ways, and changed the course of history. (Morey, n.d.)

The Roman plebeians or commoners were (“The Roman Empire,” 2006.), free male citizens that were not included in the wealthier patrician or senatorial groups of society. The plebeians were the average members of Rome that greatly outnumbered the patricians. (“The Roman Empire,” 2006). They struggled to survive working in professions such as craftsmen, farmers and builders making little money (“The Roman Empire,” 2006), yet owing large taxes to the government in which they were only allowed to participate in nominally. They usually lived in the country, and though the land gained through war, in which they were soldiers, was intended to be distributed evenly among citizens,
(Morey, n.d.). Though the plebeians were given the right to vote in the Comitia Centuriata; they could not become members of the senate or hold new offices which led to a very unequal balance of power between the plebeians and patricians of whom it favored. (Morey, n.d.). In addition, the highest government positions were held by two leaders, or consuls, who were elected by the senate which only allowed patrician membership. (“The Roman Republic,” n.d.). Unfortunately, for the plebeians, this disparity essentially gave them no true voice or power in the government and, according to Morey (n.d.), “… patrician rule proved to be as despotic as that of the kings; and a long and fierce struggle ensued between the two