Ancient Rome Unit 4: Struggle of the Orders

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Questions and Answers

What was the Struggle of the Orders?

An economic dispute over grain prices

A religious disagreement between different cults

A military conflict between Rome and Carthage

A social conflict between patricians and plebeians (correct)

When did the Struggle of the Orders take place?

509-287 BCE

What was the first secession?

Plebeians threatened to establish their own city.

In what year did the first secession occur?

494 BCE Signup and view all the answers

What is a Tribune?

A plebeian of free birth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for a Tribune?

1 year Signup and view all the answers

What did Tribunes do?

Protected plebeians from unlawful arrest and harm. Signup and view all the answers

What authority does a Tribune have?

Can veto acts that harm the rights of plebeians. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Concilium Plebis?

Plebian assembly led by the Tribune. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Tribune call the Concilium Plebis?

Called assembly, voted with yay or nay. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Plebiscite?

A vote of the people. Signup and view all the answers

When were the Twelve Tables established?

450 BCE Signup and view all the answers

What were the Twelve Tables?

Rome's first code of laws. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Twelve Tables important?

Laws were made public for everyone to see. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Canuleian Law allow?

Allowed plebeians and patricians to marry. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Licinian-Sextian Laws establish?

Allowed one of the two consuls to be a plebeian. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Hortensian Law state?

All plebeian laws were binding to the patricians. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Timocracy?

Must have wealth to be in government because government doesn't pay. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Struggle of the Orders

A significant social conflict in ancient Rome between patricians (aristocrats) and plebeians (commoners).
Plebeians sought political representation and measures to prevent patrician dominance.
The conflict lasted from 509 BCE to 287 BCE.

First Secession

Occurred in 494 BCE when plebeians threatened to form their own city due to grievances against patricians.
The secession was critical as plebeians were essential for military service, highlighting their importance in society.

Tribune

An office held by a plebeian of free birth, established to protect plebeians' rights.
Terms lasted for one year, allowing for direct representation.
Tribunes had the authority to safeguard plebeians from unlawful actions and could veto harmful legislation.

Concilium Plebis

An assembly of plebeians led by the Tribune.
The Tribune could convene this assembly, where votes were cast via yay or nay.

Plebiscite

A direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal or law.
Served as a mechanism for plebeians to express their political will.

Twelve Tables

Introduced around 450 BCE, this was Rome's first set of codified laws.
Made laws publicly accessible, ensuring transparency and fairness.

Canuleian Law

Legislation permitting intermarriage between plebeians and patricians, promoting social integration.

Licinian-Sextian Laws

Enacted in 367 BCE, these laws permitted one of the two consuls to be a plebeian, marking a significant shift towards inclusion in governance.

Hortensian Law

Established in 287 BCE, this law mandated that decisions made by the plebeian assembly (plebiscites) were binding on patricians as well, further solidifying plebeian power and creating a more unified Republic.

Timocracy

A governmental system where only individuals with wealth could participate in governance, as public offices were not compensated.

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Description

Explore the significant social conflict between the patricians and plebeians in Ancient Rome through this quiz. Understand the key events, such as the first secession and the timeline from 509-287 BCE. Test your knowledge on the demands of plebeians for political representation and their struggle against patrician power.