Two classes of people, the Patricians and the Plebeians had a common enemy, the kings. Working together they gained victory over the kings, driving them from the land. The victory would require a united front, yet once the battle was over and Rome became a republic, it was obvious the equality was not shared by all. A long struggle for political power and equality for the Plebeians would be a battle of the wealthy verses the poor (Morey, 1901).
Discussion
Discuss how the economic and political differences between the patricians and the plebeian classes ultimately led to a plebeian revolt. Include in your discussion the results of the first revolt or secession.
The Patricians were the aristocrats, once the kingship was over, the power belonged to them. The Patricians held all the political offices and senate seats. Wealth and oppression of the poor were their allies. The Patricians lived inside the city walls, protected from invading forces. Being able to occupy public land and utilize it as their own was another benefit strictly given to the Patricians. To further distance themselves from the Plebeians, loans would be made to the poor, which when unpaid would result in the acquisition of a slave, (the former debtor) (Morey, 1901). The Plebeians were the commoners and peasants, their profit …show more content…
In the movie War Games, Joshua the computer expressed the most profound statement, “A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.” (Quotes, n.d.). This is something the Plebeians did with great success when dealing with the unequal treatment of the Patricians. By choosing to not play, and leave the Patricians to their own future demise, the Plebeians began to attain their equality. It would take a second revolt to settle the public land disputes and further the cause for equality, but it was a