The rich land-owners, on the other hand, increased their wealth by
"farming" the public revenues; i.e. the state would let out to them,
for a stipulated sum, the privilege of collecting all import and other
duties. These, in turn (called in later times Publicans), would extort
all they could from the tax-payers, thus enriching themselves
unlawfully. So the hard times, the oppression of the tax-gatherer, and
the unjust law about debt, made the condition of the poor unendurable.

The military service, too, bore hard upon them. Many were obliged to
serve more than their due time, and in a rank lower than was just; for
the Consuls, who had charge of the levy of troops, were patricians,
and naturally favored their own party. Hence we see that the cavalry
service was at this time made up entirely of young patricians, while
the older ones were in the reserve corps, so that the brunt of
military duty fell on the plebeians.

This state of things could not last, and, as the opportunity for
rebelling against this unjust and cruel oppression was offered, the
plebeians were not slow in accepting it.

The city was at war with the neighboring Sabines, Aequians, and
Volscians, and needed extra men for defence. One of the Consuls
liberated all who were confined in prison for debt, and the danger was
averted. Upon the return of the army, however, those who had been set
free were again thrown into prison. The next year the prisoners were
again needed. At first they refused to obey, but were finally
persuaded by the Dictator. But after a well-earned victory, upon their
return to the city walls, the plebeians of the army deserted, and,
marching to a hill near by, occupied it, threatening to found a new