Menenius

(Agrippa Menenius Lanatus)

~ 503 BC

A COUNCIL OF ROMANS

Agrippa Menenius is associated with the story of the plebeian 'peaceful revolution.' In the year 503 B.C., the plebeians were so incensed by their poor treatment from the patricians that they walked out of the city and set up a camp in the hills, just as Rome was being threatened by one of its enemies. Menenius went to negotiate with the deserters, and told them the famous parable of the 'Members against the Belly.' The main concession on the part of the patricians was the creation of a new office, the tribune, who would see that plebeian rights were not violated.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Coriolanus  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Bloodless Revolution  in	Stories from Ancient Rome  by  Alfred J. Church
Fable of the Stomach  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Tribunes  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Revolt of the People  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Contemporary	Short Biography
Coriolanus	Hero, provoked to turn traitor. Convinced by his mother to spare Rome from destruction.