CLAS 160B1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Debt Bondage, Pyrrhic War, Pyrrhic Victory
16 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Plebeians: very large group of citizens effectively excluded from government, priesthoods, etc they resented this. Plebeians could secede from the state in protest in times of crisis. Also held their own assemblies to elect tribunes who prevented magistrates from abusing their power. Recurring issue for 200 years after 509 bc. Major issues: existence of debt slavery, monopoly on government by patricians. Struggle end with abolition of debt slavery, opening up of high positions to plebs and confirmation of the tribunate. Powerful alliance of latin towns other than rome. Latins were united by culture and language but not as much else (like greek. Joint army sponsored by the league and rome. Military victories - and spoils - were shared. Over time, rome grows more powerful: 100,000 people shortly after 400 bc, lots polis) of land. 358 bc league tries to renegotiate terms, rome says no. 338 rome and samnites defeat latin league, impose new terms.
