Patrician-Plebeian Conflict: Origins and Key Events in Rome
The Patrician-Plebeian Conflict: Origins
What is known as the “Patrician-Plebeian Conflict” began around the time of the founding of the Roman Republic (509 BC). This followed the expulsion of the Tarquins from Rome after the events involving Lucrecia, Antonino, and Sextus Tarquinius.
Early Conflicts and Key Figures
The events immediately following the expulsion are uncertain. Annals note that Porsena, King of Clusium, besieged Rome. Quintus Mutius Scaevola was taken prisoner and offered his honor if Rome would surrender. However, he refused to be armed, which impressed the monarch and led him to raise the siege.
Tarquinius Superbus and his son sought refuge with Aristodemus, the tyrant of Cumae, in a final attempt to reclaim Rome. This attempt was defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Lake Regillus, where Aristodemus died. However, the annals contradict themselves, questioning how Arruns, the son of Porsena, could have been a captain of the Romans. This suggests an alternative theory.
An Alternative Theory
It’s possible that the Roman patricians sought the help of Porsena, offering him the crown of Rome, which he would delegate to his son Arruns. Arruns would then lead the resistance against Aristodemus of Cumae and the Tarquins, preventing them from extending their influence to the Tiber.
The Battle of Lake Regillus and its Aftermath
Regardless, the Battle of Lake Regillus in 496 BC marked a turning point. The death of Arruns weakened the Etruscan influence, especially since the Roman plebs provided the majority of the militia fighters. These events led the Roman patricians to achieve absolute independence from the Etruscan kings and to dominate the state, marking the beginning of the Republic and the Patrician-Plebeian Conflict.
The Republic and New Magistracies
With the establishment of the Republic, the old magistracies (the Senate and the election curies) proved inadequate, leading to the creation of new judgeships. In 496 BC, the king’s powers were transferred to two consuls, establishing the consulate. The old imperium was divided into:
- Militiae imperium: Command of Rome’s urban militia in war, held by the consuls. This included the ius vitae necisque, the right over life and death of any Roman in the militia.
- Domini imperium: Command of the consuls in Rome during peacetime, including:
- Ius agendi cum populo: The right to call elections.
- Ius referendi ad senatum: The right to consult the Senate, which had to respond through the senatus consulta.
- Ius intercedendi: The Consul’s right to veto decisions of the other consul.
The consuls held sacrosanctitas and were nominated for election by the Curia of the Roman people, voting according to the curiae, through a “rogatio curiata de imperio.” They were appointed by the Senate, which granted them the imperium through a “lex curiata de imperio.”
Magistrates and Judicial Functions
To assist the consuls, magistrates were created, forming a council that aided the consuls and took on judicial functions due to increasing crime. These included the quaestores perduellionis and duoviri parricidii, responsible for crimes of treason and parricide, respectively.