Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/41

 SECOND PERIOD.

THE EQUALIZATION OF THE ORDERS, 509-287 B.C.

CHAPTER I.

THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION, 509-494 B.C.

I. The Consuls and the Dictator.

Establishment of the Republic. — When the clans had driven the king away, they probably had recourse to an interregnum. By this means they retained the leadership in the revolution and gained time to decide on the general principles of the new constitution. They could also reach an agreement with the plebeians and obtain their assistance for the immediate future. Though conservative, they introduced general and far-reaching changes in regard to the magistracy, the senate, the centuries, and the assembly of curies. The new order of things was probably established by a series of laws; and the first regular magistrates secured the passage of the curiate law (lex curiata), modified to suit the new conditions. Henceforth nearly all the magistrates with supreme authority, and some others, were obliged to procure the sanction of this law.

Chief Aim of the Revolution. — The primary aim of the patrician clans was to render the magistrates less powerful and less dangerous. Still, as they believed in a strong and vigorous government, they did not limit essentially the