HISTORY
ANCIENT ROME
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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They wanted a say in the government
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they were afraid of being invaded
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they wanted more food and money
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they wanted the patricians to fix the city
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Detailed explanation-1: -In 494 bce, the plebeians threatened to leave Rome and set up their own independent state (concilium plebis). Their object was to acquire protection against the arbitrary acts of the Senate and consuls .
Detailed explanation-2: -Plebeians were generally unhappy with the way that society and the government were set up; a system which gave them significantly less access to wealth and political power than patricians (noble families).
Detailed explanation-3: -In 451 BC, the plebeians pressured the senate to write down the laws of Rome, the result was the Twelve Tables, twelve stone tablets with written laws that were posted in the forum, or marketplace of Rome for all to see. Before the Twelve Tables, the patricians could change the laws at any time to their benefit.
Detailed explanation-4: -Over time, the plebeians elected their own representatives, called tribunes, who gained the power to veto measures passed by the senate. Gradually, the plebeians obtained even more power and eventually could hold the position of consul.
Detailed explanation-5: -After the expulsion of the kings, Rome was ruled by its aristocrats (roughly, the patricians) who abused their privileges. This led to a struggle between the people (plebeians) and the aristocrats that is called the Conflict of the Orders.