Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/61

Rh On account of the number and political character of the plebeian and patrician magistrates, there was no concentration of responsibility; no uniformity of judicial practice, no natural and consistent development of criminal law; thus the people did not become imbued with the idea that every crime had its just punishment, and that there was a fixed moral order in the administration of justice.

The Gains of the Plebeians. — While the plebeians failed to obtain the economic and legal reforms of which they stood in the greatest need, they secured in the tribunate an absolute veto and a power of coercion which was superior to that of all the ordinary public authorities. The tribunes were the progeny of revolution, and were in turn to become the instruments of revolution and the progenitors of anarchy. To the plebeians of the time, however, they proved to be of the greatest value. By means of their inviolability and the support of the plebeian organization, they were able greatly to increase their positive powers, and formed. a most effective lever for raising the plebeian class and bringing about the political equalization of plebeians and patricians.

III. The Law of Publilius Volero.

Farther Conflicts. — The patricio-plebeian constitution was the result of a compromise and was likely to produce civil discord and strife. The violent conflicts that ensued are indicated by the story of Coriolanus, who is said to have been impeached by the tribunes, and to have gone into exile; and that of Spurius Cassius, who is reported to have made an attempt to abolish the unjust system of occupying public lands, but was accused of high treason, condemned, and executed. Afterwards he became the prototype of agrarian agitators.