Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/87

Rh advantages of profitable military service. For the benefit of the poor plebeians in general, the Genucian plebiscite apparently prohibited absolutely the taking of interest. Nevertheless, interest was demanded and received later on, and the legality of the transaction was not questioned. The legislators, therefore, still failed to establish a reasonable method of giving security for loans and a rational procedure in cases of bankruptcy — measures of fundamental importance.

The aristocratic plebeians seized the opportunity to obtain measures of their own. It was enacted that no one should fill the same office again until ten official years had elapsed since his former term. The plebeian tribunate and aedileship were included in the provision. This rule prevented for the future frequent reëlections to the consulship, increased the number of the plebeian nobles, and extended their influence in the senate. At the same time it greatly restricted the influence of individuals, and increased that of the senate. It was further provided that no one should fill two regular offices during the same year. This was a beneficial regulation, since the state needed all the magistrates provided by the constitution, and it was for various reasons undesirable to combine the consulship and praetorship, which were the offices chiefly concerned. Lastly, it was by law declared to be permissible to elect two plebeian consuls. The declaration was sufficient; the patricians never during the existence of the republic ventured again to elect two patrician consuls.

III. The Publilian, Ovinian, and Poetelian Laws.

Publilian Law respecting Plebiscites. — The laws of 342 did not fully satisfy the ordinary plebeians or insure the steady political advancement of the plebeian aristocracy.