Hello and welcome to the history of Rome.

In a single generation, Rome had recovered from the devastation of the Galaxac and regained

its dominant position within the region.

The plebes had demanded and received greater political power, culminating with the election

of the first plebe consul in 366 BC, the year after Camilla shepherded the Licinian law

through the Senate.

I did not mention this last week, but the admittance of plebes into the consulship also saw

the end of military tribunes with consular power as one of the highest offices of state.

The dual consulship was reinstated for good, and the obsolete office of military tribune

was never revived.

Subsequent years would see other plebe first, including the first plebe dictator in 356

BC, and the first plebe censor in 351 BC.

Both feats achieved by a single man, Gaius Marshius Routulis, who, over the course of his

illustrious career, would also be elected consul four times.

By 343 BC, the Romans were once again seen as the Great Force in Central Italy, and, as

we are about to see, this meant that their neighbors forever sought to involve them in squabbles

that had nothing to do with Rome or Roman interests.

The Romans were the big kid on the block every other kid wanted on their side.

As I did last time, I would like to open this week with a quote from Livy, discussing

the year hostilities began with the Samnites, and its significance in the greater arc of

Roman history.

From now on, the wars described will be of greater importance.

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