Secession of the Plebs

The Secession of the Plebs was a power struggle in ancient Rome around 494 BC, where the common people (plebeians) threatened to leave the city and form their own self-governing community because they felt oppressed and excluded from political power. By temporarily withdrawing from the city, they compelled the ruling class (patricians) to make reforms, including the creation of the Plebeian Council and the election of their own officials (tribunes). This event marked a significant step toward greater political equality, helping to balance the power between the upper and lower classes in Rome.