Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/144

130 of their valuable services in the war and through the favor of the higher classes, who found in them the readiest political tools. The freedmen in particular attained new importance, being employed even in the legionary service. As early as 217 their sons were permitted to wear the toga with the purple border and an amulet case of leather. The freedmen and servile dependents were probably better situated than the poor but independent citizens Whose civic pride had not been broken.

In general, things had now come to such a pass that it appeared doubtful whether the nobility would earnestly attempt to reform the constitution, which was fitted for a city, not for a state, or to reinvigorate and increase the middle classes. These were the two fundamental domestic problems on whose solution the fate of Rome depended.

The Latins. — One result of the war was to bring the Latins into greater prominence, and to degrade the other Italians. The Latins had been required to furnish proportionately more soldiers than the Roman citizens, but nevertheless served Kome with singular fidelity during the early years of the war. In 209, however, twelve of the Latin colonies refused to furnish the troops and money demanded of them, being no doubt influenced in part by the indignant rejection of any Latin representation in the Roman senate (p. 125). As a punishment they were later compelled to furnish more troops than formerly, and were assessed like Roman citizens for the purpose of levying the temporary tax (tributum). The other eighteen colonies had, however, offered to furnish even more troops and money than could be demanded according to compact. The Latins had unquestionably saved Rome by their loyalty, and they had suffered more than the Romans. In return for their services, they seem to have received money and grain, and they probably obtained a share of the lands confiscated