Topic > The Plebeian Revolt in Ancient Rome

In the beginning, Rome was ruled by a tyrannical king who the people didn't like. Both the patricians and the plebeians decided to put aside their differences and rebel against those in power. When they succeeded, they were left to decide who should lead their newly freed people and what laws to put in place to ensure they were not ruled that way again. The only problem of being free without righteous rulers already at hand, meant that citizens with the most resources and dominion before their victory would come to claim the right to rule. It also meant that lower-class plebeians, forced to do most of the physical revolt, would themselves be impoverished and in need of help. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The problem: Patricians held all the rights and privileges of citizenship, wealthy aristocratic members of Roman society. They were the reapers of the benefits resulting from winning the war, they claimed all private and public lands while the plebeians fought, putting them in a much poorer and more disadvantaged position. They ran their new Rome with much consideration for the plebeian class, to keep them indebted to them rather than to coexist peacefully. “Plebeians were reduced to the condition of a debtor class” because they were forced to essentially borrow their own property, as well as borrow money and other land to provide for their families and to earn a living. Some of the fruits of war, such as newly acquired lands from won battles and overthrown areas, were supposed to be public and free for all. The patricians, however, took it for themselves and gave it to other wealthy people instead of the class of people who fought for it. The Revolt: The plebeian revolt should have been highly anticipated as they had just fought for freedom from tyranny. and of the unjust king. And then they were put back in the same position as before. They rebelled by refusing to “do their duty,” so to speak. They left the army leaving the upper class vulnerable and proposed to found their own city beyond Mons Saucer. This resulted in all their debts being canceled and their class being able to be part of a government and officially be part of society instead of slaves to society. The tribunes were assigned the task of representing the voice of the plebeians, so that the patricians could not pass laws against them. They also formed an assembly that essentially let the people speak freely about their problems and where they wanted change, without being interrupted or dispersed by the magistrates. Ultimately, even after uniting to gain freedom, the noble mentality and greed of the Patricians led to the enslavement of their own people simply because they were poor. They thought they could keep them bound in slavery and tribute, but they ended up being the very thing they tied to in order to escape. Fortunately, this led to greater equality between two classes of people and unity when they would need it most in the future.