In the "struggle of the orders," what did the plebeians want and what did they succeed in getting?
The struggle of the orders in Rome began when the roman state expanded in terms of power and size at around 509-280 BC. This brought about political, economical and social changes. This is also brought about the political, social and economic struggle between the Patricians also known as the aristocrats and the Plebeians also known as the commoners. The Plebeians wanted to have rights because when it came to numbers they were many compared to the patricians. They therefore to have rights to stand for elections as consul. They also wanted to hold a magistrate office so that their affairs are dealt with or discussed in order to have a solution. The senate refused this request but came up with a compromise in, which the Plebeians would be able to elect two representatives in the tribune. The Plebeians were also fighting to be accepted socially in that they can intermarry with the Patricians. This is because previously the two were not allowed to marry each other by law. The main purpose for this intermarriage was for the wealthy Plebeians to be able to have more powers especially politically and socially. At around 367 BC, there was a law that was passed in which yearly there must be one consul who is Plebeian.
Can it be said that Rome became a democracy because of this struggle? Why or why not?
Rome can be said it became a democracy after the struggle of orders. This is because there were many compromises that were made between Patricians and Plebeians in order to reach an agreement and try to solve some of the disputes presented. There were many reasons why the Patricians agreed to give the Plebeians more rights and some of the major reasons were the fact that they needed them in times of war and they did not want to have civil wars. Democracy can be seen when Plebeians seemed to have gained more political and social rights in Rome. The rich Plebeians in Rome began to have similar powers as that of the Patrician. They were also able to marry the Patrician people and were almost treated as equals in the society. Politically the Plebeians were able to elect two representatives as tribune. The tribune in Rome had many powers in that they were untouchable. A law was passed in which there would be one Plebeian consul appointed yearly.
