0
First, we should understand the implications of plebeian. The Plebs were those who were not Patricians. Paticians belonged to families which claimed an ancient noble lineage (and possibly descent from a god or godess). There were often Patrician and Plebeian branches of the same family.
The Plebs were all the rest - they were not simply low class - they included Senators and Equestrians, some of the richest men in Rome as well as the poorest. Patricians could be poor - they constituded the original ruling class, not an economic distinction.
The initial political setup of the Republic after final expulsion of the kings left power in the hands of the Patricians - they filled the magistracies and the Priesthood - the office bearers who controlled the business of the state. The people in general could only vote in the assembly under arms in their centuries called the Centuriate Assembly or in the Tribal Assembly. Both were stacked so that the votes of the upper classes counted more than those of the lower classes.
This control of power was progressively eroded as the Plebs withdrew support at critical times - if the Centuriate Assembly did not vote for war, the state could neither be defended nor could enemy be invaded to steal their land, and so on. As a result, the Patricians reluctantly progressively shared the magistracies with the Plebs.
A further major advance was the establishment of a Plebeian Assembly which gained power by producing its own laws, overcoming reliance on a Senate dominated by Patricians. The institution and election of 10 Tribunes of the Plebs by the Plebeian Assembly put further power in the hands of that Assembly. Tribunes of the Plebs had personal immunity, could veto laws in the Senate, and also introduce laws in the Senate; they became Senators at the end of their term, each year further diluting the Patrician contol of the Senate. This, added to the sharing of magistracies progressively forced on the Patricians - Praetor, then finally Consul, between Patrician and Plebeian candidates, progressed further power to the Plebs, so manipulation by both sides became critical.
The civil wars of the 1st Century BCE brought an end to the Patrician-Plebeian divide. Death in war, and the proscriptions in which victorious sides had opponents killed to seize their property, so wasted the Patricians that they ceased to be a defined power bloc, and it became merely a social honorific. So the Patrician-Plebs conflict ceased to exist. It came down to simple manipulation of the three Assemblies - Centuriate, Tribal and Plebeian.
Augustus' settlement of the constitution after his victory in the civil wars over, first the killers of his adoptive father Julius Caesar, then Mark Antony, rested principally on his assumption of lifetime powers of a Tribune of the Plebs. He didn't take on the office, just the powers, which meant he didn't have to be elected annually. This gave him immunity from prosecution, a veto over laws and the ability to introduce laws. Very clever. And by this move, and gaining personal control of the legions by allocating to himself the provinces which had legions, he was able to eliminate the power of the Centuriate and Plebeian Assemblies. His 'restoration of the Republic' in 27 BCE was in reality elimination of the mechanisms of the Republic, and set the progressive roadmap of imperial control, which culminated by the 3rd Century CE in despotism.
The plebeians revolted until a tribune was created in which they could elect their own representatives.
They provided the army, and so the aristocracy had to make concessions to gain their support for expansion and survival.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How did plebeians gain power on the republic?
The plebians gained power by going on strike.
How did plebeian eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic?
The gracchus brothers helped make reforms and made them into realities
How did the pelebians eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic?
Yes, they did gain a larger role in politics. In fact, after their strikes, protests, and actually leaving the city for their own enclave on the Adventine hill, they got what they wanted. By the time of the mid to late republic one consul had to be a plebeian.
How did plebeians eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic-?
The 12 Tables bound the formerly alien populations to the fortunes of Rome & drew them into the Roman political & cultural system.
What was the military power in Roman Republic?
The military power in the Roman republic was the same as it had always been -- the Roman army. Whoever led the army, or at least a few legions, could hope for supreme power if he wanted it. Men such as Marius, Sulla, Pompey and Caesar used their legions to gain power.
Plebeians gain larger role in roman republic?
Yes, progressively.
How did plebeians gain power on the republic?
The plebians gained power by going on strike.
How did plebeian eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic?
The gracchus brothers helped make reforms and made them into realities
How did the pelebians eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic?
Yes, they did gain a larger role in politics. In fact, after their strikes, protests, and actually leaving the city for their own enclave on the Adventine hill, they got what they wanted. By the time of the mid to late republic one consul had to be a plebeian.
How did plebeians eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic-?
The 12 Tables bound the formerly alien populations to the fortunes of Rome & drew them into the Roman political & cultural system.
How did the plebeians eventually gain larger role in the republic?
The 12 Tables bound the formerly alien populations to the fortunes of Rome & drew them into the Roman political & cultural system.
What happened to the roman republic?
When Brutus killed Julius Caesar, the Roman Republic dissolved into a civil war. Octavius became Emperor, and restored order. Some features of the republic lasted for a number of years, but the Emperors continued to gain power.
How did the plebeians gain the right to vote and hold political office in Roman Republic?
They threatened to leave Rome and build a new city.
How did the plebeians gain a larger role in the Roman republic?
The plebeians gained their political rights by civil unrest and work stoppage. The patricians soon realized that they needed the plebeians not only for their work, but for their bodies in the army. So they granted them a couple of tribunes to look after their interests.
What was the military power in Roman Republic?
The military power in the Roman republic was the same as it had always been -- the Roman army. Whoever led the army, or at least a few legions, could hope for supreme power if he wanted it. Men such as Marius, Sulla, Pompey and Caesar used their legions to gain power.
How did plebeians eventually gain a larger role in the roman republic?
The plebeians gained their political rights by civil unrest and work stoppage. The patricians soon realized that they needed the plebeians not only for their work, but for their bodies in the army. So they granted them a couple of tribunes to look after their interests.
How did the plebeians eventuality gain a larger role in the Roman republic?
The plebeians gained their political rights by civil unrest and work stoppage. The patricians soon realized that they needed the plebeians not only for their work, but for their bodies in the army. So they granted them a couple of tribunes to look after their interests.
