Lex Hortensia

Lex Hortensia was a law passed in ancient Rome in 287 BC that made decisions made by the Plebeian Council (a legislative assembly of common citizens) binding on all Romans, including the Senate and aristocratic classes. Before this law, only the decisions of the Senate or patrician-controlled assemblies had legal authority, often excluding Plebeians. The law was a significant step toward political equality, giving common citizens a direct voice in legislation that affected everyone. Essentially, Lex Hortensia established that laws passed by the Plebeian Council were equal in power to those made by the more traditional aristocratic bodies, promoting broader democratic participation.