control of the patricians, for the great mass of plebeians were poor.
Still there were many wealthy plebeians, and so far the assembly was a
gain for this party.

About this time the Senate, which heretofore had consisted solely of
Fathers of the families (_Patres_), admitted into its ranks some
of the richest of the landed plebeians, and called them CONSCRIPTI.
[Footnote: This is the origin of the phrase used by speakers
addressing the Senate, viz.: "_Patres (et) Consripti_"] These,
however, could take no part in debates, nor could they hold
magistracies.

In the Senate, thus constituted, the nomination of all magistrates
made in the Comitia Centuriáta was confirmed or rejected. In this way
it controlled the election of the Consuls, whose duties, we must
remember, were those of generals and supreme judges, though every
Roman citizen had the privilege of appealing from their decision in
cases which involved life.

Two subordinate officers, chosen from the patricians, were appointed
by the Consuls. These officers, called QUAESTÓRES, managed the
finances of the state, under the direction of the Senate.

The wars in which the Romans had been engaged, during the century
preceding the establishment of the Republic, had impoverished the
state and crippled its commerce. This was felt by all classes, but
especially by the small landed plebeians whose fields had been
devastated. They were obliged to mortgage their property to pay the
taxes, and, when unable to meet the demands of their creditors,
according to the laws they could be imprisoned, or even put to death.