Day 34

The peoples shock at this horrible family and their horrible behavior made them never want to be subject to the rule of kings ever again- this was an attitude that lasted for centuries. ruler placed by the rule of two consuls.
-consuls are elected officials
-term of office:one year
-always aristocrats (patricians)
-patricians traced their decent from famous ancestor or pater (father)
-duties:dealing justice, making law, commanding the army
-one consul can veto the other.
fifth century BCE - patrician dominance of government was challenged by the plebeians ("people") plebs were 98% of the population
how did the patricians dominate
-plebs had to serve in the army and could not hold office
-plebs were threatened with slavery debt
-plebs had no legal rights
plebs were victims of discriminatory decisions in judicial trials. Rome had no actual laws just written customs. patricians could intemperate these to their advantage. plebs refused to serve in the military until...
-laws were Witten out (the law of the twelve tables)
-these laws (on tables) were posted in public (in 450 BCE)
-tribunes were elected (tribal leaders).