Divide and Conquer

We return to the 410s BCE to explore some classic Conflict of the Orders. This one will end with an evil patrician plan (mwahahaha) to divide and conquer their plebeian foes. Episode 141 - Divide and Conquer Some Unfinished Business The Romans had been engaged in battle with the Aequians when we last checked in on them. Due to some slappy fighting between the military tribunes with consular power, a dictator had been called in to get this military campaign back on track. Quintus Servilius was chosen for their role, and he took his son along for the ride. Fortunately for this father-son duo, the Aequians were getting sloppy. Servilius took full advantage of their overconfidence and whipped the Romans into shape. He even ordered the death of a slightly hesitant standard-bearer! With the stern Servilius Snr in charge, the Romans manage to turn the tables on their enemies. Roman standards were considered to be sacred by the legions. It is most unusual that the dictator ordered the death of a standard-bearer on the spot! Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The Land from Labici Thanks to the defeat of the Labicani and the Aequians, the Romans finally have some new territory on their hands. Terrified that the tribunes of the plebs might try to redistribute the land, the Senate quickly established a colony in the new area. Trouble from the Tribunes The senators were probably right to be afraid, as two tribunes decided to put forward a new agrarian law. Land taken from the enemies of Rome should be split up and divvied up between the citizens. Cue some more Conflict of the Orders! The patricians were alarmed by this outrageous proposal. The descendent of uber—patrician royalty, Appius Claudius, was there to steer the patricians down a nefarious path. It was time to take the tribunes of the plebs on; to divide and conquer…     Things To Look Out For: * Random facts about our family history * Us once again casting doubt on early Roman historical accounts * Class traitors… always look out for class traitors! * Classic Conflict of the Orders narratives Our Players 418 BCE Military Tribunes with Consular Power * Lucius Sergius C. f. C. n. Fidenas (Pat), previously consul in 437, 429; and previously military tribune with consular power in 433, 424 * Marcus Papirius L. f. -. n. Mugillanus (Pat) * Gaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat), previously consul in 427, military tribune with consular power in the previous year 419 Dictator * Quintus Servilius P. f. Sp. n. Priscus Fidenas (Pat) Master of the Horse * Gaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat) - upgraded from military tribune with consular power! Censor Lucius Papirius L. f. -. n. Mugillanus (Pat). Previously consul in 427 and military tribune with consular power 422. Our Players 417 BCE Military Tribunes with Consular Power * P. Lucretius Hosti f. – n. Tricipitinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c.p. 419