ops, were patricians, and
naturally favored their own party. Hence we see that the cavalry service
was at this time made up entirely of young patricians, while the older
ones were in the reserve corps, so that the brunt of military duty fell
on the plebeians.

This state of things could not last, and, as the opportunity for
rebelling against this unjust and cruel oppression was offered, the
plebeians were not slow in accepting it.

The city was at war with the neighboring Sabines, Aequians, and
Volscians, and needed extra men for defence. One of the Consuls
liberated all who were confined in prison for debt, and the danger was
averted. Upon the return of the army, however, those who had been set
free were again thrown into prison. The next year the prisoners were
again needed. At first they refused to obey, but were finally persuaded
by the Dictator. But after a well-earned victory, upon their return to
the city walls, the plebeians of the army deserted, and, marching to a
hill near by, occupied it, threatening to found a new city unless their
wrongs were redressed. This is called the First Secession of the Plebs,
and is said to have been in 494.

The patricians and richer plebeians saw that concessions must be made,
for the loss of these people would be ruin to Rome. Those in debt were
released from their obligations, and the plebeians received the right
to choose annually, from their own numbers, two officers called TRIBUNI
PLEBIS, who should look after their interests, and have the power of
VETOING any action taken by any magistrate in the city. This power,
however, was confined within the city walls, and could never be
exercised outside of them.

The person of the Tribunes was also made sacred, to prevent interference
with them while in discharge of their duties, and if any one attempted
to stop them he was committing a capital crime. Thus, if the Consuls or
Quaestors were inclined to press the law of debt to extremes, or to
be unjust in the levying of troops, the Tribunes could step in, and by
their VETO stop the matter at once.

This was an immense gain for the plebeians, and they were justified in
giving the name of SACRED MOUNT to the hill to which they had seceded.

The number of Tribunes was afterwards increased to five, and still later
to ten.

CHAPTER VII. THE COMITIA TRIBUTA AND THE AGRARIAN LAWS.

The next gain made by the plebeians was the annual appointment from
their own ranks of two o