Lex Hortensia Reforms the Roman Constitution
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History: The Ancient World, Prehistory-476
- Categories: Government and Politics, Law, Legal History, Courts
- Subcategories: Empires, Dynasties, Laws, Acts, Legislation, Democracy, Class Conflict, Roman Empire, Ancient Rome
- Curriculum: Italian History, Ancient History
- Geographical Location: Italy
- Date: 287
Article abstract: The Lex Hortensia brought about constitutional reform by making plebiscites equal to laws and enforceable on the entire community.
Summary of Event
Throughout the fifth and fourth centuries b.c.e., persistent class conflict raged in Rome between the privileged patrician class and the plebeians over the distribution of political rights and powers. Eventually, the plebeians managed to win increasing degrees of equality with the patricians. By means of various laws, they had gained recognition of intermarriage with patricians and the right...
[The entire page is 1010 words long]
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