246- 183 BCE - Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who was sworn to hatred of Rome by his father, Hamilcar Barca. Hannibal lead Carthage in several successful battles against Rome in the Punic Wars. Hannibal marched across the Alps with a significant army built of Spanish natives, however there were …

234 - 149 BCE- Cato the Elder was a Roman praetor, and consul who became a censor, or census taker, in 184 BCE. Cato was against the Roman movement to incorporate Greek culture and education. Cato famously claimed that it was cheaper to work slaves to death, rather than treat them …

451 BCE- Plebian pressure to codify Roman law lead to a commission which created a set of twelve laws known as the "Twelve Tables." The "Twelve Tables" restricted the influence of upper-classes and helped minimize arbitrary authority and tyranny. The Twelve Tables cover many aspects of Roman society including family …

The plebians were the large body of the lower classes in Rome. The plebians were independent, and generally did not have large landholdings. Although, the plebians did not hold the same right to govern as the patricians did initially. The efforts of some of the wealthier plebians, eventually allowed the …

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The patricians were the Roman aristocratic class who's heritage could be traced back to the Senators appointed during the Roman period of monarchic rule. The patricians were the upper-class aristocratic citizens of Rome who had significant power and influence in government. The patricians were wealthy and generally held large portions …