PLEBIAN STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY
... Bitter Struggle for equality The ‘struggle between the orders’, was brought about by the people’s desire for equality. The struggle between the orders was a series of political manoeuvres to improve the lot of the plebeians in relation to that of the patricians. Causes of the Struggle - Patrician interests were narrowly self-serving and produced increasing divisions in the Roman Society in the early fifth century. ... There were a growing number of plebeians who were equal to the patricians ability and wealth and who had distinguished themselves in battle; these men were able to act as spokesmen, but nevertheless the struggle for political, social, religious and legal equality was long and bitter since the patricians, with their wealth and experience, contested every demand. ... Plebeian Revolt The first objectives of the plebs in their struggle to equality with the patricians were, • to find officers to act as their spokesmen and to defend themsleves against the exploitation by the patricians; • to organise plebeian assemblies for the regular election of such officers and for passing legislation in the interest of the plebs; • to force the patricians to make public written law. ... The plebeians won many rights in the ‘struggle’.