[Linenotes: 1. +cum Atticis legibus+, i.e. with a copy of the Laws of Solon (the great Athenian Lawgiver, 594 B.C.). 1-3. +Eo intentius ... fieret+, because up to this time the knowledge of law and its interpretation was confined to the Patricians (cf. the Scribes of the N.T.). This could only be remedied by writng the laws down and making them public. 3-4. +sine provocatione+ = _without appeal_. Lit. ‘challenging.’ 4-5. +ne quis ... esset.+ The Decemvirs were to supersede temporarily both Consuls and Tribunes. 14-15. +quid ... conferrent+ = ‘_Should point out in the interest of all_ (lit. should contribute to the public good) _any faults of excess or defect in the several articles_.’ --Stephenson. 15-17. +ad rumores hominum+ = _in accordance with_ (+ad+) _public opinion_. 17. +centuriatis comitiis.+ Servius Tullius divided the people into five classes, according to the value of their property. The people (Patricians and Plebeians alike) voted by centuries; but as 98 centuries (and ∴ 98 votes) were allotted to the richest class and only 95 to the other four classes, the influence of wealth was decisive in the elections.] +Parallel Passages.+ Cic. _De Republica_ ii. 33-37, and _De Legibus_ ii. 23. +The Twelve Tables.+ ‘They were essentially only a written embodiment of the existing public and private law.’ --Mommsen. Cf. Magna Carta. D17 SECOND SECESSION OF THE PLEBS, 448 B.C. _The Death of Verginia not in vain._ Concitatur multitudo partim atrocitate sceleris, partim spe per occasionem repetendae libertatis. In contionem Appius escendit; sequuntur Horatius Valeriusque. Eos contio audit; decemviro obstrepitur. Iam pro imperio Valerius discedere a privato {5} lictores iubebat, cum fractis animis Appius vitae metuens in domum se propinquam foro insciis adversariis capite obvoluto recipit. M. Duillius deinde tribunus plebis plebem rogavit plebesque scivit, qui plebem sine tribunis reliquisset quique magistratum {10} sine provocatione creasset, tergo ac capite puniretur. Haec omnia ut invitis, ita non adversantibus patriciis transacta, quia nondum in quemquam unum saeviebatur. Fundata deinde et potestate tribunicia et plebis libertate tum tribuni aggredi singulos tutum {15} maturumque iam rati accusatorem primum Verginium et Appium reum deligunt. Spe incisa, priusquam prodicta dies adesset, Appius mortem sibi conscivit. M. Claudius assertor Verginiae, die dicta damnatus ipso remittente Verginio ultimam poenam {20} dimissus Tibur exulatum abiit; manesque Verginiae, mortuae quam vivae felicioris, per tot domos ad petendas poenas vagati nullo relicto sonte tandem quieverunt. LIVY, iii. 49, 55, 56, 58 (sel.) +Context+. Verginius, seeing no way of saving his daughter from disgrace and dishonour at the hands of Appius Claudius, killed her before the judgment-seat of the tyrant and before the eyes of the people.