HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 31 



made such an impression on Porsenna, that lie hastened the con- 

 clusion of peace with Eome, though not on very favorable terms to that 

 city. 



Upon his return to Clusium, Porsenna sent one of his sons to attack the 

 Latin city of Aricia. This expedition failing of its object, the Romans 

 endeavored to liberate themselves. Porsenna abandoned his efforts in behalf 

 of Tarquin, and allowed Rome to throw off the Etruscan yoke. But all 

 these events had reduced Rome to a state of decay, which encouraged 

 thirty Latin and Sabine cities to form a confederacy and revolt against 

 Rome. In this perplexity Rome was obliged to elect a Dictator, to whom 

 was intrusted, for a time, sole dominion. He possessed the power of 

 fortune and life over the citizens. Titus Lartius first held the office, 449 

 B.C. Under him and his successor, Aulus Posthumius, the Romans 

 vanquished the insurgents, especially in the memorable battle near Lake 

 Regillus, where the two sons of Tarquin were killed, and he himself, child- 

 less, and without hope of regaining the throne, retired to Cumge, where he 

 died. The Romans and Latins finished by forming a union, 495 B.C., 

 in which both parties obtained equal privileges, and incurred mutual 

 obligations. 



With the removal of external difficulties, the old feud revived between 

 the Patricians and Plebeians. It lasted for many years, and crippled the 

 wealth and energies of the republic. The Patricians w^ere forced to yield 

 to the enraged people ; and, in order to prevent further abuse of the consular 

 power, two Tribunes were chosen from among the Plebeians. Their persons 

 were sacred, and they had the power of the veto over any law tending to 

 oppress the people. 



In the following year (494 B.C.), the number of tribunes was increased 

 to five, and afterwards to ten, and new prerogatives were at the same time 

 accorded. Thus step by step did the Plebeians rise in influence and power, 

 until they secured a list of privileges equal to those of the Patricians. 

 They also obtained the appointment of two JEdiles, chosen from among 

 themselves to act as guardians of public safety, and as assistants of the 

 tribunes. 



The struggle between the several classes having at length ceased, the 

 Romans could prepare to meet the attacks of their enemies, of whom the 

 Yolsci were the fiercest. During the constant wars, the labors of husbandry 

 had been much neglected, whereby Rome was exposed to famine. Hunger 

 itself was endured with tolerable patience, and in seasonable time a supply 

 of grain arrived from Sicily. This relief caused the strife between the classes 

 to break out more violently than ever, for in the senate, Coriolanus proposed 

 that the corn should be sold at cheap rates to the Plebeians only on condition 

 that they would surrender the privileges they had recently acquired. His 

 impeachment followed before the tribunes, who condemned him to perpetual 

 banishment. He immediately fled to the Yolsci, whom he easily persuaded 

 to begin a new war with Rome. Many other exiles also made common 

 cause with them against Rome. With a large force they invaded Latium, 

 488 B.C., plundered a multitude of cities, and committed the fiercest out- 



203 



