Page:The Ancient City- A Study on the Religion, Laws, and Institutions of Greece and Rome.djvu/371

 CHAP. VII. THE PLEBS ENTER THE CITY. 365 which had given its stamjj to the soil, had no power ■over money. Men of the lower orders now learned other occupa- tions besides that of cultivating the earth ; there were artisans, sailors, manufacturers, and merchants; and soon there were rich men among them. Here was a a singular novelty. Previously, the cliiefs of the gentes alone could be proprietors, and here were former cli- ents and plebeians who were rich and who displayed their wealth. Then, too, the luxury which enriched the plebeian impoverished the noble. In many cities, especially at Athens, were a part of the aristocratic body seen to become miserably poor. Now, in a soci- •ety where wealth is changing hands, rank is in danger of being overthrown. Another consequence of this change was, that among the people themselves, distinc- tions of rank arose, as must happen in every human society. Some famiUes were prominent; some names increased- in importance. A sort of aristocracy was formed among the people. This was not an evil; the people ceased to be a confused mass, and began to re- .semble a well-constituted body. Having rank among themselves, they could select leaders without any long- A3r having to take from the patricians the first ambi- tious man who wished to reign. This plebeian aristoc- racy soon had the qualities which ordinarily accompany wealth acquired by labor — that is to say, the feeling of personal worth, the love of tranquil liberty, and that spirit of wisdom which, though desiring improve- ments, fears risking too much. The plebs followed the lead of this new aristocracy, which they were proud of possessing. They renounced tyrants as soon as they felt that they possessed among themselves the ele- ments of a better government. Indeed, riches became,