• wealthy landowners

• Rome’s ruling class

• served in the government

• men were Roman citizens1. had the right

to vote2. paid taxes3. served in the

army

• majority

• artisans, shopkeepers, small farmers

• less social status

• no public office

• complain about having little power in republic

• want rights since they fought in army and pay taxes

• Plebeians go on strike

• refused to serve in army

• left city to set own republic

• tribunes elected to bring plebeian concerns to government and veto government decisions

• 300s B.C. plebeians could become consuls

• Rome becomes more representative of its citizens

• laws were carved on bronze tablets and placed in the Forum

• became the basis for all

future Roman laws

• All free citizens were to be treated equally by the law

Choose 5 of 6

1. Who were the Patricians?

2. Who were the Plebeians?

3. Why were the Plebeians disgruntled?

4. How did the Plebeians force the Patricians to deal with the problem of inequality?

5. What changes were made to make the Roman Republic better?

6. What are the 12 Tables?