Thus the free plebeian population might have been reduced to a state of mere dependency, and the history of Rome might have presented a repetition of monotonous severity, like that of Sparta or of Venice.[38] But it was ordained otherwise.  The distress and oppression of the plebeians led them to demand and to obtain political protectors, by whose means they were slowly but surely raised to equality of rights and privileges with their rulers and oppressors.  These protectors were the famous Tribunes of the Plebs.  We will now repeat the no less famous legends by which their first creation was accounted for.

[Footnote 38:  A well-known German historian calls the Spartans by the name of “stunted Romans.”  There is much resemblance to be traced.]

It was, by the common reckoning, fifteen years after the expulsion of the Tarquins (B.C. 494), that the plebeians were roused to take the first step in the assertion of their rights.  After the battle of Lake Regillus, the plebeians had reason to expect some relaxation of the law of debt, in consideration of the great services they had rendered in the war.  But none was granted.  The patrician creditors began to avail themselves of the severity of the law against their plebeian debtors.  The discontent that followed was great, and the consuls prepared to meet the storm.  These were Appius Claudius, the proud Sabine nobleman who had lately become a Roman, and who now led the high patrician party with all the unbending energy of a chieftain whose will had never been disputed by his obedient clansmen; and P. Servilius, who represented the milder and more liberal party of the Fathers.

It chanced that an aged man rushed into the Forum on a market-day, loaded with chains, clothed with a few scanty rags, his hair and beard long and squalid; his whole appearance ghastly, as of one oppressed by long want of food and air.  He was recognized as a brave soldier, the old comrade of many who thronged the Forum.  He told his story, how that in the late wars the enemy had burned his house and plundered his little farm; that to replace his losses he had borrowed money of a patrician, that his cruel creditor (in default of payment) had thrown him into prison,[39] and tormented him with chains and scourges.  At this sad tale, the passions of the people rose high.

[Footnote 39:  Such prisons were called ergastula, and afterward became the places for keeping slaves in.]

Appius was obliged to conceal himself, while Servilius undertook to plead the cause of the plebeians with the senate.

Meantime news came to the city that the Roman territory was invaded by the Volscian foe.  The consuls proclaimed a levy; but the stout yeomen, one and all, refused to give in their names and take the military oath.  Servilius now came forward and proclaimed by edict that no citizen should be imprisoned for debt so long as the war lasted, and that at the close of the war he would propose an alteration of the law.  The plebeians trusted him, and the enemy was driven back.  But when the popular consul returned with his victorious soldiers, he was denied a triumph, and the senate, led by Appius, refused to make any concession in favor of the debtors.