HIST 1061 Lecture 3: Establishing a Republican Empire
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The a(cid:396)isto(cid:272)(cid:396)a(cid:272)y ga(cid:448)e the ple(cid:271)s so(cid:373)e po(cid:449)e(cid:396), (cid:271)ut it (cid:449)as(cid:374)"t t(cid:396)uly the e(cid:395)uality they (cid:449)e(cid:396)e hopi(cid:374)g for. The biggest victory for the plebs were the 12 tables, which gave the plebs equal rights as the aristocracy. However, the 12 tables were civil laws, not constitutional nor religious. 12 tables were pointless rights but tables 2 and 7 were beneficial (look up) The plebs were also rewarded the office of tribunes. There were only 10 members and they could only propose legislation but at least they had a seat at the table. Eventually, the office of tribunes could veto policy, even though most members were too scared to use this power. Tribunes were the only office to ever hold veto power. Tribunes could never serve in any position higher than tribune, a literal dead end job. There were 4 elected annually and they ran the city policies and organized the chariot games.