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Decades of Gloom
- The Romans struggled with internal and external conflicts after the Twelve Tables' creation.
- Famine, political tensions, and military setbacks characterized this era.
Plebeian Struggles
- Plebes fought for equality, including intermarriage with patricians and access to high offices.
- They achieved intermarriage relatively quickly, but the consulship remained elusive for decades.
Marriage Politics
- Patricians initially resisted plebeian-patrician marriage due to concerns about "blood dilution."
- However, this argument was weak, as Roman law defined status by the father's position.