21. The laws of the twelve tables did not alter the legal relations between the citizens; the struggle was renewed with greater violence than ever after the expulsion of the decem'viri, but finally terminated in the complete triumph of the people. The Roman constitution became essentially democratical; the offices of the state were open to all the citizens; and although the difference between the patrician and plebeian families still subsisted, they soon ceased of themselves to be political parties. From the time that equal rights were granted to all the citizens, Rome advanced rapidly in wealth and power; the subjugation of Italy was effected within the succeeding century, and that was soon followed by foreign conquests. 22. In the early part of the struggle between the patricians and plebeians, the magistracy, named the censorship, was instituted. The censors were designed at first merely to preside over the taking of the census, but they afterwards obtained the power of punishing, by a deprivation of civil rights, those who were guilty of any flagrant immorality. The patricians retained exclusive possession of the censorship, long after the consulship had been opened to the plebeians. 23. The senate,[11] which had been originally a patrician council, was gradually opened to the plebeians; when the free constitution was perfected, every person possessing a competent fortune that had held a superior magistracy, was enrolled as a senator at the census immediately succeeding the termination of his office. _Questions for Examination_. 1. What is the most probable account given of the origin of the distinction between the patricians and the plebeians at Rome? 2. How did Romulus subdivide the Roman tribes? 3. By what regulations were the gentes governed? 4. Who were the chiefs of the gentes? 5. What was the condition of the clients? 6. By whom were alterations made in the number and constitution of the senate? 7. What assembly was peculiar to the patricians? 8. What were the powers of the Roman kings? 9. What great change was made in the Roman constitution by Servius Tullius? 10. For what purpose was the census instituted? 11. How were votes taken in the comitia centuriata? 12. Were the designs of Servius frustrated? 13. What was the Roman law respecting debtors? 14. When did the Roman power decline? 15. What changes were made in the constitution of the equestrian rank? 16. What change was made after the abolition of royalty? 17. How were the liberties of the people secured? 18. Why was the office of dictator appointed? 19. How did the plebeians obtain the protection of magistrates chosen from their own order? 20. What additional triumphs were obtained by the plebeians? 21. What was the consequence of the establishment of freedom? 22. For what purpose was the censorship instituted? 23. What change took place in the constitution of the senate? FOOTNOTES: