Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/68

54 The Last Decemvirs. — The existence of two such parties would tend to explain the differences between the first and the last decemvirs. Three or more of the latter were plebeians. Appius Claudius, who presided at the election in 450, was the only decemvir reëlected. With one exception, he was also the only man of any importance in the second decemvirate. During the preceding year one decemvir at a time had twelve lictors, and appeal was granted; during the second year the decemvirs had twelve lictors each, and they passed unjust sentences and through private agreement practically abolished even collegiate intercession. When they had prepared the laws of the eleventh and twelfth tables, and should simply have submitted them to the assembly of centuries and resigned, they arbitrarily continued in office beyond their official year.

The Sabines and Aequians seized the opportunity to begin war. Two Roman armies were sent against them, but were defeated. Then the plebeian military tribune, Lucius Siccius Dentatus, a veteran of a hundred and twenty battles, was murdered by command of the decemvirs. By legal trickery Appius Claudius tried to obtain possession of the daughter of Lucius Verginius, the bride of the former tribune Lucius Icilius. To rescue her from shame, Verginius killed her in the open Forum. Such are the details supplied by tradition.

Second Secession and the Restoration. — All could now see to what the despotic power of the decemvirs would lead. The armies marched to the Sacred Mount and elected their own tribunes. Then they returned to the city and occupied the Aventine. Civil war was imminent At last the decemvirs resigned. A compromise was negotiated between patricians and plebeians: the tribunate and the consulship were to be reestablished and amnesty was promised to the seceders.