375-371 BC

Years of anarchy; no magistrates elected

Essentially, the tribunes of the people took revenge upon the Patricians for their continuous obstructionism with respect to granting Plebeian rights. The Plebeian tribunes vetoed the election of the tribunes with consular powers for five years running. This affected the not only political but also military matters. They eventually relented when the Volsci ravaged Roman lands.

Lex Licinia-Sextia passed

    • Gave plebeians the right to hold the office of consul
    • Permitted plebeians to hold the office of praetor (Mommsen characterizes this office as that of a 3rd consul), whose primary function was to preside over judicial hearings.

Mommsen, T. The History of Rome (Volumes 1-5). Translated by William Purdie Dickson. E-text prepared by David Ceponis. Project Gutenberg. Available at www.gutenberg.net. Accessed December 29, 2012. PDF Page 173.