The Struggle of Orders

The Struggle of Orders was the conflict between the patricians and the plebeians in early Rome. The patricians were ranked higher in social and political matters than the plebes and therefore had much more say in political affairs. Only patricians could be elected to the Senate or become consuls, and the plebeians objected to this injustice. The plebes continuously tried to gain more power, while the patricians continuously tried to maintain their power. The revolts of the lower class eventually made the patricians give in and allow the plebeians one representative among the magistrates. These representatives, called Tribunes, had the power to veto any law the magistrates tried to pass. Eventually Romans allowed ten plebeians to be Tribunes. Though patricians were still higher ranked socially, the plebeians had more of a say in what happened, and the struggle was resolved. This influenced the future of Roman politics because the plebeians could help make decisions that would help all of Rome, not just the patricians. Both classes became more equal, and the Senate became more powerful because it had both patricians and plebeians. Rome was greatly impacted by the Struggle of Orders because both classes became more equal.

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