Exercises on Plebeian Revolts

Establish how the exclusion of commoners took place in the republican period.

What political rights could a plebeian tribune exercise?

To what extent were the Laws of the Twelve Tables important to alleviate the inequalities that differentiated patricians and plebeians from a legal point of view?

What effects did the plebeian revolts have over time on Roman politics and society?

(Unifesp)

Conflicts and varied social struggles gave rise to the crises that made the Roman State pass from the monarchical to the republican government and from this to the imperial one. In the three political regimes, however, the members of a single group, or social class, always maintained the same weight and position. They were the so-called,

a) commoners (ie, popular).

b) proletarians (ie, without goods).

c) servants (ie, slaves).

d) customers (ie dependents).

e) patricians (ie nobles).

During the Republic, the plebeians were of paramount importance in the military protection of the city of Rome and in the conquest of territories. In some cases, some commoners also had an affluent economic condition, established from the development of commercial activities. Despite this, they did not enjoy the same political rights, were not equally rewarded in the division of the spoils of war obtained in conflict situations and often became slaves for not paying their debts.

In the exercise of this office, the tribunes had the power of veto against political decisions that directly contemplated their social class. In general, decisions by magistrates and senators considered harmful to commoners could be overturned through this new office.

Before its creation, Roman laws were maintained by an ancient oral tradition that often gave rise to inaccuracies and changes. Thus, the exclusion of commoners was maintained by this system of laws. By recording the laws in writing, the Laws of the Twelve Tables reduced discrepancies in the interpretation and application of Roman laws.

With the development of the plebeian revolts we noticed that the political discrepancy between patricians and plebeians was significantly reduced. In addition, it is worth mentioning that this greater balance of forces was of great importance for the Roman military conquests to advance and, in such a way, the formation of the Roman empire proceeded in great strides.

Letter E . Throughout Roman history, we realize that the patricians had their political, social and economic position significantly preserved. The commoners were the ones who most experienced changes as they expanded their political participation, integrated the army and developed the commercial activities of their time.