Over time the patricians came to resent Etruscan rule. In 509 B.C.E., a group of patricians,led by Lucius Juinus Brutus,rebelled. They drove out the last Etruscan King. In place of a monarchy,they created a republic. In a republic,elected officials govern for the people.To the patricians "the people" meant themselves not the plebeians. The patricians put most of the power in the hands of the senate. The senate was a group of 300 patricians elected by the patricians. The senators served for life. They also appointed other government officials and served for judges.
Two elected leaders, called consuls,shared command of the army. The Senate was supposed to advise the consuls. In fact the Senate's decisions were treated as law.The creation of the republic gave Rome a more democratic form of government. But only the patricians could participate in that government.
Two elected leaders, called consuls,shared command of the army. The Senate was supposed to advise the consuls. In fact the Senate's decisions were treated as law.The creation of the republic gave Rome a more democratic form of government. But only the patricians could participate in that government.