Timeline: Conflict Of Orders

494 BCE

The First Secession Of The Plebs

The plebeians were frustrated with their treatment by the patricians, so they left Rome and set up camp on the Sacred Hill. Rome was at war, so the plebeians were able to force the patricians to give them some of what they wanted in order to have them help Rome win the war. Photo

493 BCE

Tribune Of The Plebs

The Tribune Of The Plebs was a special position that could ONLY be held by the plebeian men. This ensured that they got a say in the politics of Rome.
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492 BCE

Famine Under Coriolanus

Because the plebeians had seceded, there was a great lack of grain and everyone was starving. Coriolanus fought against Rome because of it. Photo

451 BCE

The Twelve Tables

Even after the first secession, there were large inequalities in Rome between the patricians and plebeians. The Twelve Tables were created in order to clearly articulate the laws and enforce them the same among all of the people, regardless of social class. Photo

448 BCE

The Second Secession Of The Plebs

The plebeians and patricians had put aside their differences and elected the Decemvirate for the creation of the Twelve Tables. However, these men refused to give up their power at the end of their term and became tyrannical. To force the patricians to listen to them, the plebeians seceded to the Sacred Hill again. Ultimately, this plan worked highly effectively. Photo

445 BCE

Canuleian Law

The Canuleian law allowed for plebeians to hold any office in Rome. This significantly decreased the inequality between the two groups and also allowed plebeians and patricians to marry each other.
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367 BCE

First Plebeian Elected Consul

After the first plebeian was elected consul, another followed a year later. Photo

367 BCE

Licinio-Sextian Law

The Licinio-Sextian laws required that there be at least one plebeian consul. This guaranteed much more political and legal equality for the plebeians.
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339 BCE

Lex Publilia

One censor had to be a plebeian. This, again, shifted the power more closely toward the plebeians.
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287 BCE

Lex Hortensia/End Of Conflict Of Orders

The Lex Hortensia declared that the decisions of the plebeian council were binding to everyone, not just the plebeians. This effectively brought the patricians in line by putting them on an equal level to the patricians legally and politically. Photo

2023