Appius Claudius Crassus
Encyclopedia
Appius Claudius Crassus was a decemvir
of the Roman Republic
ca 451 BC
.
His father was Appius Claudius Sabinus, Consul in 471 BCE
Despite being of patrician descent, he supported the plebeian wish for a code of laws, and while in office shared power with their representatives. Thus a decemviri (council of ten) was established to ratify new laws, a process where the decemvirs had total authority over Rome, even suspending the current powers of the tribunes and other administrative officers. Although Appius served on full year term to ratify Rome's new laws off the Greek model, his council convinced the public to have them serve another annual term as decemvirs in order to ratify two more engraved tables to the laws (which would become the Twelve Tables
of Rome).
When it came time to re-appoint a new council of ten lawmakers, the patricians became suspicious that Appius growing popularity would gain for him enough favor to be re-appointed. So they pressed upon Appius to propose who should serve in the next decemviri. To everyone's surprise he proposed himself to sit on the next council, whereas everyone thought he would decide to act modestly by declining the offer and not adding his name to the list. The people became even more suspicious once Appius increased the traditional size of the guarding body of lictor
s from the mere twelve men to one hundred and twenty.
When the end of their second year of power came to an end, the decemvirs had the Twelve Tables completed, but not yet published for public view, and so used this as an excuse to retain their powers. Everyone became upset with the decemvirs, the patricians forced into violent factions and the plebeians fearful of their liberties being taken.
However, when the Sabine
s and the Volsci
made a sudden assault on Rome, the decemvirs realized the weakness of their position without a functioning Roman Senate
in office to handle the threat. So they called the Senate back into session, which was an opportune moment for senators such as Valerius and Horatius
to point out the arrogance of the decemvirs. A civil war broke out between the decemvirs and the senators, and in the end the decemvirs lost, while the consulship and tribunate were reestablished.
Appius' decemviral code survived the overthrow of the decemvirs ca 449 BC
. He was claimed to have been murdered or committed suicide as a consequence of his lust for Verginia
, but the historical facts are scanty and dubious.
Decemviri
Decemviri is a Latin term meaning "Ten Men" which designates any such commission in the Roman Republic...
of the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
ca 451 BC
451 BC
Year 451 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Sabinus and Augurinus and the First year of the decemviri...
.
His father was Appius Claudius Sabinus, Consul in 471 BCE
Despite being of patrician descent, he supported the plebeian wish for a code of laws, and while in office shared power with their representatives. Thus a decemviri (council of ten) was established to ratify new laws, a process where the decemvirs had total authority over Rome, even suspending the current powers of the tribunes and other administrative officers. Although Appius served on full year term to ratify Rome's new laws off the Greek model, his council convinced the public to have them serve another annual term as decemvirs in order to ratify two more engraved tables to the laws (which would become the Twelve Tables
Twelve Tables
The Law of the Twelve Tables was the ancient legislation that stood at the foundation of Roman law. The Law of the Twelve Tables formed the centrepiece of the constitution of the Roman Republic and the core of the mos maiorum...
of Rome).
When it came time to re-appoint a new council of ten lawmakers, the patricians became suspicious that Appius growing popularity would gain for him enough favor to be re-appointed. So they pressed upon Appius to propose who should serve in the next decemviri. To everyone's surprise he proposed himself to sit on the next council, whereas everyone thought he would decide to act modestly by declining the offer and not adding his name to the list. The people became even more suspicious once Appius increased the traditional size of the guarding body of lictor
Lictor
The lictor was a member of a special class of Roman civil servant, with special tasks of attending and guarding magistrates of the Roman Republic and Empire who held imperium, the right and power to command; essentially, a bodyguard...
s from the mere twelve men to one hundred and twenty.
When the end of their second year of power came to an end, the decemvirs had the Twelve Tables completed, but not yet published for public view, and so used this as an excuse to retain their powers. Everyone became upset with the decemvirs, the patricians forced into violent factions and the plebeians fearful of their liberties being taken.
However, when the Sabine
Sabine
The Sabines were an Italic tribe that lived in the central Appennines of ancient Italy, also inhabiting Latium north of the Anio before the founding of Rome...
s and the Volsci
Volsci
The Volsci were an ancient Italic people, well known in the history of the first century of the Roman Republic. They then inhabited the partly hilly, partly marshy district of the south of Latium, bounded by the Aurunci and Samnites on the south, the Hernici on the east, and stretching roughly from...
made a sudden assault on Rome, the decemvirs realized the weakness of their position without a functioning Roman Senate
Roman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
in office to handle the threat. So they called the Senate back into session, which was an opportune moment for senators such as Valerius and Horatius
Lucius Valerius Potitus
Lucius Valerius Potitus was one of two consuls who were said to have replaced the decemvirs in 449 BC ....
to point out the arrogance of the decemvirs. A civil war broke out between the decemvirs and the senators, and in the end the decemvirs lost, while the consulship and tribunate were reestablished.
Appius' decemviral code survived the overthrow of the decemvirs ca 449 BC
449 BC
Year 449 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Third year of the decemviri and the Year of the Consulship of Potitus and Barbatus...
. He was claimed to have been murdered or committed suicide as a consequence of his lust for Verginia
Verginia
Verginia, or Virginia, was the subject of a story of Ancient Rome, related in Livy's Ab Urbe Condita.The people of Rome were already angry with the decemviri for not calling the proper elections, taking bribes, and other abuses. It seemed that they were returning to the rule of the Kings of Rome...
, but the historical facts are scanty and dubious.