Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

ROME GCSE (OCR) > Securing the Republic, 494-440 > Flashcards

Securing the Republic, 494-440 Flashcards

(106 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the Conflict of the Orders based upon

A

The second century
2nd Punic War militarised the plebeians
The rich bought Pleb land and used slaves to farm it, and as a consequence by the end of the 2nd century there were many more poor citizens.
Scarcity of records mean the Roman historians relied on their own politics to retell the past

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

A

Plebeian magistrates elected in 133 and 123
Used popular support to try and pass land reform laws which would redistrubite land among the poor and vetrans
Biggest influence on the Conflict of the Orders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

secession

A

name given to plebeian protests in the Republic when the plebs left the cirty to create a new settlement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Cause of Plebeian unrest
Livy

Warfare

A

Wars of Independance caused homelessness and indebtness among the poor
Farms and businesses struggled
Impoverished families borrowed money
Many pleb soldiers returned to war to find themselves homeless or in debt

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Decline of the patron-client relationship

A

Livy
The relationship was strained
No system that allowed plebs to express their concerns
Patricians did not look favourably on pleb demands for land and debt reform

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why do modern historians criticise Livy’s claim that warfare caused the Conflict of the Orders

A

If, as Livy says, the rich seized the land in the fith century, there would be none left for them to seize in the second century, which they did
Livy gives a stereotypical view of warfare.
* It provided opportunities, many men gave up their farms as more money could be made at war

There is likely to be truth behind the story, but there is no proof

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was the Conflict of the Orders

A

Period of unrest and tension between the Plebs and Patricians.
Non violent protests were used – the plebs left the city or refused to work
The patricians relied on the plebs so they had to listen
The patricians realised they could not ignore the plebs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Dates of the first secession

A

494-492

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The first signs of rebellion

A

495
A war vetran visits the forum, asking for help.
Former commander, farm destroyed by Sabines, now homeless.
Borrowed money to pay for a new tax, could not settle his debts. Land repossesed and creditor demanded he be tortured and whipped.
His story caused uproar
The forum was overrun by an angry mob and debtors demanding justice
The consuls averted a riot, but could not stop sedition spreading

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Livy on the Battle of Lake Regilius
(Quote)

A

“While they (the plebeians) were fighing for freedom on the battlefield, their families were being imprisoned at home by those they were fighting to protect”
Livy, The History of Rome 2.23 (adapted)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who were the consuls that averted a riot after the veteran’s story

A

Publius Servillius and Appius Claudius

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Repossess

A

Taking the possessions off a person by force when they cannot pay their debts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

creditor

A

a person lending money

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

quorum

A

the number of people needed to make a meeting official

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why could the senate not come to a conclusion on the matter of dealing with the plebeian unrest after the angry mob in the forum over the vetran

A

They had not got a quorum
Perhaps because some senators did not want to help the plebs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Appius Claudius’ views on the plebeians

A

He wanted to crush them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Publius Servillius’ views on the plebeians

A

He wanted to help the poor with debt relief

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What happened at the end of the debate of what to do with the plebeian unrest over the vetran

A

Latin horsemen rode into the meeting and informed the crowd that a Volscan army was attacking Rome’s allies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How did Servillius raise an army to defend Rome’s allies from the Volscan attack

A

He vowed to fight against debt if the plebs fought for him

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What did Appius do with Servillius’ army when they returned to Rome

A

Put the soldiers in chains and blamed Servillius saying he had no right to cancel the debts without senatorial support

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What happened after the returning army was arrested

A

Lawlessness gripped Rome
Groups of plebs freed debtors from their chains
Senators were attacked
The consuls Verginius and Vetusius could not assemble an army
The plebeians began meeting in secret on the Esquiline and Aventine hills

Rome’s rivals took advantage, and attacked its Latin allies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Titus Larcius

A

Senator, supporter of the plebeians
Believed they should be helped so as to stop the unrest, or Rome might be permanently divided

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What did the senate do when Rome’s rivals attacked its allies

A

Called an emergancy meeting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What did Appius Claudius say they should do in the emergancy meeting

A

Not be bullied by criminals
If the debts were cancelled the plebs would not stop until they controlled Rome
He proposed a dictator should be apointed to crush the rebellion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Who was the dictator that was appointed to deal with the pleb threat
Manius Valerius
26
What was **Manius Valerius'** tactic
* He **appealed to the people** * Assured them **he would put their case before the senate** * Managed to **assemble 10 legions** and **defeated the Sabine, Aequi, and Volsci threat**. * On his return he **asked the senate to consider debt relief** * **Resigned** because they refused
27
How did the plebs view **Manius Valerius**
hailed him as a hero, even though they realised no progress had been made
28
What happened after Manius resigned
The consuls pretended they were still at war and kept the army standing The army knew the war was over and feared they would be used to crush the plebs
29
Sicinius Bellutus
Soldier who had fought for the dictator Told the army they had to scare the patricians Suggested a seccession
30
Outline the first seccession
Sicinius' seccession occupied the Secred Mount Citizens of Rome fled the city to join them or to get away from imminent war Armed patricians tried to stop them fleeing, unsuccesful The settlers on the Sacred Mount raided farms to ensure provisions Senate sent ambassadors, plebs repeat demands Plebs refused to enter negotiations until their requests were met
31
How did the first secession end
Two new consuls elected They sent Menenuius Agrippa to speak with the plebs Menenius told them a story that used the metaphor of rome being a body, if one part rebelled, the body died The plebs entered negotiations
32
Result of first secession
Appius Claudius refused to compromise or negotiate Harmony restored by creation of pleb magistrates called tribunes, who had the power to fight against injustice and inform the senate of pleb problems
33
Marcius Coriolanus
Senator Argued that the plebs had caused the famine after the First Secession Indicted by the tribunes Offered as a scapegoat by the senate Fled to Volsci and encouraged them to make war on Rome
34
What was a major consequence of the First Secessoin
Famine
35
Why did the senate offer Marcius Coriolanus as a scapegoat
the tribunes had incited the plebs to use mob violence if he was not punished
36
What did the Senators do to appease the plebs and end the famine
gave them Coriolanus to punish set fair food prices
37
What, according to Livy, did the plebs want after the famine ended
land redistribution
38
Spurius Cassius
* Consul * Tried to use the demand for agrarian laws to establish a tyranny * Executed in 485
39
Agrarian laws
a redistribution of land or a change of the way land is farmed
40
How did Cassius try to create a tyranny
He signed a peace treaty with the **Hernici** in **486** BC, acquiring **60% of their land** Wanted to **split the land between the plebs and latins** **Attacked on all sides, tried to bribe the plebs by using surples grain**
41
Year Cassius signed a peace treaty with the Hernici
486BC
42
What did the senate and the plebs think of Spurius Cassius
The senators said he was bribing the poor and the Latins The plebs became suspicious
43
Year of Spurius Cassius' execution
485
44
What did the tribunes do when they realised the plebs wanted land redistribution
tried to pass a series of agrarian laws
45
**Volero Publilius**
A plebian Refused to join army as ordinary soldier as was a former commander Became tribune in 472
46
What did Volero Publilius do in order to avoid arrest
He told the people that the tribunes were too scared or too friendly with the Senate to help the people The mob turned on the lictors and he escaped
47
What did the senate do in reaction to Volero Publilius' escape
Assembled to decide what should be done The elder senators urged caution and he was freed
48
What did Volero Publilius do after being freed
He ran for tribune in 472, successfully Demanded a change to the tribune voting system. ## Footnote Livy says he was right to demand reform instead of incite sedition
49
What did Volero Publilius' reforms propose
That the patricians could not influence the election of tribunes. Anyone could become a tribune
50
What was the senate's reaction to Volero Publilius' proposed reforms
They were frightened
51
Who was the consul that Volero Publilius clashed with
Appius Claudius, son of Appius Claudius
52
Why was **Appius Claudius** coerced into accepting the law
to prevent civil unrest
53
Year Appius Claudius was indicted by the tribunes
470BC
54
What happened to the indictment of **Appius Claudius**
He refused to acknowledge the charges Caused unrest Trial suspended until later date Appius died before it could be resumed Result of the people electing tribunes who represented them, not the patricians
55
Quintus Fabius
In 467 he proposed land taken from the Volsci could be used to create a colony for plebs Offering new land reduced the demand for land reform and weakened the influence of the tribunes
56
What did **Gaius Terentilius Harsa** do when the need for land reform was reduced
Used the absence of the consuls to demand constitutional reform Demanded a written constitution to define and limit the powers of the consul. Claimed consuls were abusing their powers more than kings
57
What did Quintus Fabius say to Terentilius when the tribune put forth his proposal for reform
Called him a traitor Asked him to present his ideas to the consuls when they returned
58
What did the Senate do when Terentilius put forth his proposal for reform
Said his ideas were worth investigating, but would not vote until they had more information That way they did not have to do anything
59
What did the tribunes do when they realised Terentilius' demands were not going to be met?
454, a new spirit of co-operation began. They agreed to drop the demands if the senate allowed the plebs to participate in the selection of lawgivers
60
What did the senate do in response to the tribune's proposed deal in 454
they agreed, and sent ambassadors to investigate Athens' laws
61
What laws did the ambassadors to Athens investigate
The laws of Solon which they believed helped create the Athenian democracy
62
Year the ambassadors returned from Athens
452BC
63
What happened on the return of the ambassadors to Athens
The Senate created the Decemvirate, a council of ten male patricians, to create a new law code The Decemvirate replaced the consuls and the tribunes
64
How does Livy describe the First Decemvirate
Just and fair
65
Appius Claudius Crassus
Grandson of Appius Claudius Helped create the first Ten Tables of laws Deceived the poor so as to become a tyrant
66
Result of the First Decemvirate
The people flock to see the Ten Tables Widespread approval Two more laws wanted Plebs so relieved that they did not demand the return of the tribunes Ten more men chosen to form the Second Decemvirate
67
What concerned the senate about Appius Claudius Crassus? What did they fear?
He was popular among the plebs They feared he wanted to control the Second Decemvirate
68
How did the Senate try to stop Crassus taking control
They put him in charge of the selection process for the Second Decemvirate They believed he would not be arrogant enough to use his power to elect himself
69
What did A. C. Crassus do to get elected
Manipulated the selection process to elect himself and nine allies
70
Tyrannical actions of the Second Decemvirate
Met in secret Appointed 12 lictors each to act as bodyguards Crassus attacked the plebs Trials held in homes of his friends to attack them and remove his enemies 449, the Decemvirate announced their intention to rule for another year Created two tables to protect the patricians
71
What did one of the tables created by the Second Decemvirate ban
mariage between patricians and plebeians
72
Second Decemvirate first year
450
73
Why did the Second Decemvirate have to call an army
The Sabines attacked a Roman colony and the Aequi attacked Algidus
74
What happened when the Second Decemvirate called a meeting of the Senate to assemble an army
No Senators attended and the plebs refused to enlist
75
How did the Second Decemvirate get an army
Crassus used his lictors to force a quorum. They could only vote to approve action, which they did out of fear
76
Which senators stood up to the Second Decemvirate What did they say?
Lucius Valerius Potitus and Marcus Horatius Barbatus They said htat the Second Decemvirate acted like kings and would share Superbus' fate
77
What happened to the army the Second Decemvirate created
They had no heart and suffered many heavy defeats
78
What does the fall of the Second Decemvirate copy?
The fall of the Tarquins
79
Virginia
* Plebeian girl * Daughter of Lucius Verginius * Engaged to Lucius Icilius
80
Lucius Icilius
Former tribune Engaged to Virginia
81
Marcus Claudius
Client of Appius Claudius Crassus Claimed Virginia was a runaway slave on the orders of Crassus
82
Crassus' plot to get Verginia
Verginia refused his advances and so he got one of his clients to claim she was a runaway slave, allowing Crassus to put her on trail
83
Events of the first trial of Virginia
Virginia demanded time to contact her father who was fighting at Algidus Crassus agreed to wait if she accompanied him home Lucius Icilius (her fiancé) fought his way through the lictors and told them that Crassus wanted to rape her. The crowd turned against Crassus, and he let her go, ordering her to return to the next day
84
What happened immediately after the first trial of Virginia
Icilius went to Algidus and managed to tell Verginius of his daughter's situation
85
Events of the *second* trial of Virginia
Crassus dismissed Verginius' and Icilius' evidence and declared she was a slave and Verginius was a traitor. Before Crassus' lictors could seize Virginia her father asked permission to speak to her nurse and check if she really was his daughter. However, he seized a knife from a butcher and ran towards his daughter, stabbing her.
86
What does Virginius say after killing Virginia? How does this reflect what Brutus said after Lucrieta's death
"with my daughter's blood I curse you" – Verginius Brutus vowed on the blood of the fallen Lucrieta that he would destroy the kings
87
What happened after Virginia's death
Verginius escaped and returned to his camp at Algidus Valerius and Horatius demanded the Senate recall the consuls and tribunes, but out fo fear of Verginius moving the army against them, the Senators refused The Decemvirate provided the Senate with protection
88
Date of the Second Secession
449 BC
89
What happened when Verginius returned to camp
His comrades were shocked that he was covered in blood. Verginius gave a speech, saying he had loved his daughter but could not allow her to be defiled by a tyrant. He had contemplated suicide but believed Crassus' lust would not end and had to be stopped. He encouraged the soldiers to leave the battlefield and join a Second Secession on the Aventine Hill
90
What did Icilius do when Verginius started the second Secession
Followed his example and encouraged the army fighting the Sabines to join the Secession
91
Senate's immediate reaction to the Second Secession
They were alarmed Sent envoys to the Aventine to find a prompt solution
92
What did the soldiers of the Second Secession say to the envoy from the Senate
They said they would only speak to Valerius and Horatius
93
What did Valerius and Horatius do in response to the Second Secession's demand to speak to them What was the response
Would not meet them until the Decemvirate handed power back to the consuls. The Decemvirate refused
94
What did the Second Secession do as a result of the Second Decemvirate refusing to restore the consuls?
brought their families to the Sacred Mount. Rome became a ghost town (Livy) Similar event to when Julius Ceasar marched on Rome in 49BC
95
Outline how the Second Secession came to an end
Decemvirate were left with no choice as Rome was empty. Would disband if they were not prosecuted. Valerius and Horatius met with the leaders of the Second Secession. They demanded the tribunes reinstated and the indictment of Decemvirate The two senators said they should not attack the Decemvirate, but that they respected the wish for the return of the tribunes
96
Immediate aftermath of Second Secession
Valerius' and Horatius' success in a compromise was met with relief Election to take place on Aventine. Verginius and Icilius were two of the ten tribunes elected. Valerius and Horatius become consuls
97
Iclilius' first action as tribune
propose no revenge or reprisals be sought against the Decemvirate
98
Valerio-Horatian laws
* The right to appeal restored and strengthened, ended practice of consuls and other magistrates having power to create courts that had no right to appeal * Inviolability of the tribunes and their assistants the aediles was restored
99
Inviolability
legal protection from violence or harm
100
Fate of Appius Claudius Crassus and the Decemvirate
Despite promising not to, the tribunes indicted him. He was aware of his imminent death and committed suicide. The rest went into exiled or committed suicide
101
What did Valerius and Horatius do before raising armies to destroy the Sabine and Aequi threat?
published the Twelve Tables
102
Twelve Tables ideas
available to all in precise and simple language, and gave the Roman citizen basic civil rights Did not establish idea that 'everyone was equal before the law'
103
Twelve Tables content | Brief summary
* Attendance in court * theft * lending and debtors * family law and the rights of fathers * inheritence * possession, ownership, and slavery * criminal acts * property law * public law and treason * religious law * Tables 11 and 12 created by the Second Decemvirate to protect the patricians
104
What were the problems with the Valerio-Horatian Laws and the Twelve Tables
* They were flawed * Had changed very little * The two orders still mistrusted each other * Prompted plebs to demand more * Over next nine years a number of changes were made
105
Gaius Canuleius
Lifted ban on Pleb-Patrician marriage Used popular support attempt to make it so that plebs could become consul
106
How did the Senate avoid giving the plebs access to the position of consul?
Allowed the plebs to become military tribunes, this way they could seek the same glory as a victorious consul

ROME GCSE (OCR) (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions