Asher Sisneros

There were two classes of people in Ancient Rome. The plebeians were the poor class, consisting of traders, merchants, and artisans. The patricians were the wealthy and powerful, who inherited their status. While many plebeians became wealthy through industrious endeavors, nobody could escape the class they were born in. Classes weren’t determined by wealth. Instead, they were determined by birthright. Dominantly, the patricians held a chokehold on their lower-class counterparts with their governmental influence. However, oppression never lasted and the plebeians had an uprising. They wanted representation. The plebeians desired a seat at the table and a battle ensued, called the Struggle of the Orders.

            Since the wealthy plebeians lived in just as much luxury as the patricians, they grew outraged because they couldn’t participate in the government. Similarly, plebeians who were enslaved as collateral for their debts saw nothing to lose. Both sides of the plebeian class wanted more. Then it dawned on them. Leverage comes with numbers since militaries that dwindle in size dwindle in power. In retaliation, the plebeians threatened to secede from Rome. Such a course of action would cripple the Republic and the patricians folded.

            By the early 5th century BC, wealthy plebeians were admitted to the Senate. Rome also created the Tribunes, who were elected officials with veto power. Their sole job was to use that power to protect the poor commoners from potentially crippling legislation. After that, the patricians couldn’t pass a bill that advanced their interests at the expense of the plebeians. The Assembly of Tribes was a new assembly whose members weren’t divided by classes. Instead, all the members were divided by geography and population. The Assembly of Tribes could vote on legislation after the Senate approved of it. Finally, towards the end of Struggle of the Orders, the consulship (executive office) was opened up to plebeians as well.

In the end, the plebeians got what they wanted. Through pressure and a very long and strenuous political battle, the plebeians earned representation in the Republic and won the Struggle of the Orders.