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Patricians and Plebeians
The plebeians were the merchants, farmers, and artisans of Rome. They were allowed to vote, but only Patricians were allowed in the senate. In 471BC, the plebeians elected a tribune. Ten men represented the plebeians against any political oppression by the consuls or the patricians. By 287BC, the laws passed by the plebeians were binding for all Romans, including the patricians. The senate met in the Forum, a marketplace
in the valley among the hills that surround Rome. The senators would rule
on the military and foreign affairs, but the tribunes protected the rights
of the plebeians. When a tribune objected to a law, he would shout “veto.”
Veto means “I forbid” in Latin, the language of the Romans.
If enough tribunes objected, they could stop the law from passing. |
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The
patricians were the noble families of Rome. In 509BC,
a group of patricians expelled the Etruscan king and decreed that Rome
would be a republic. A republic is a form of government with elected officials.
The patricians elected senators to serve their interests. The senate selected
two people to serve as Consuls in place of the Etruscan king.