Lex Hortensia

The Lex Hortensia de plebiscitis ( "about the plebiscites " ) of the dictator Quintus Hortensius from the year 287 BC is one of the most important laws of the Roman Republic.

By this law, the decisions of the plebs were given ( plebiscites of plebis scitum - Decision of the plebeians ) the force of law for the whole Roman people. An additional confirmation by the Senate ( patrum auctoritas ) was therefore no longer necessary. Thus the plebeians achieved an equality with the patricians.