§6.35.1occasio videbatur rerum novandarum propter ingentem vim aeris alieni, cuius levamen mali plebes nisi suis in summo imperio locatis nullum speraret: accingendum ad eam cogitationem esse;
It seemed an opportunity for revolution because of the immense burden of debt, of which evil the plebeians could hope for no relief unless their own men were placed in the highest office; they must, therefore, gird themselves for this design.
§6.35.2conando agendoque iam eo gradum fecisse plebeios, unde, si porro adnitantur, pervenire ad summa et patribus aequari tam honore quam virtute possent.
By striving and acting, the plebeians had already made a step to that point from where, if they should strive further, they would be able to reach the highest peaks and be equalled to the patricians as much in honor as in virtue.
§6.35.3in praesentia tribunos plebis fieri placuit, quo in magistratu sibimet ipsi viam ad ceteros honores aperirent.
For the present, it was decided that they should become tribunes of the plebs, so that in this magistracy they might open for themselves the way to other offices.
§6.35.4creatique tribuni C. Licinius et L. Sextius promulgavere leges omnes adversus opes patriciorum et pro commodis plebis, unam de aere alieno, ut deducto eo de capite, quod usuris pernumeratum esset, id, quod superesset, triennio aequis pensionibus persolveretur; alteram de modo agrorum, §6.35.5ne quis plus quingentas iugera agri possideret; tertiam, ne tribunorum militum comitia fierent consulumque utique alter ex plebe crearetur, — cuncta ingentia et quae sine certamine maximo obtineri non possent.
And having been elected tribunes, Gaius Licinius and Lucius Sextius proposed laws, all directed against the power of the patricians and in favor of the advantages of the plebs: one concerning debt, that what had been paid in interest being deducted from the principal, the remainder should be paid off in three years by equal installments; another concerning the limit of land, lest anyone should possess more than five hundred iugera of land; a third, that there should be no elections of military tribunes, and that at all events one of the consuls should be elected from the plebs—all of them mighty matters and such as could not be obtained without the greatest struggle.
omnium igitur simul rerum, §6.35.6quarum inmodica cupido inter mortales est, agri, pecuniae, honorum discrimine proposito conterriti patres cum trepidassent publicis privatisque consiliis, nullo remedio alio praeter expertam multis iam ante certaminibus intercessionem invento collegas adversus tribunicias rogationes conparaverunt.
Therefore, a crisis being presented at one and the same time regarding all things of which there is an immoderate desire among mortals—land, money, and offices—the terrified patricians, when they had panicked in public and private deliberations, finding no other remedy except the veto, which had already been tried in many earlier struggles, won over the other colleagues against the tribunitian proposals.
§6.35.7qui ubi tribus ad suffragium ineundum citari a Licinio Sextioque viderunt, stipati patrum praesidiis ne recitari rogationes nec sollemne quidquam aliud ad sciscendum plebi fieri passi sunt.
When these colleagues saw the tribes summoned by Licinius and Sextius to cast their votes, surrounded by guards of the patricians, they did not allow the proposals to be read out, nor any other customary formality to be performed for the plebeians to vote.
§6.35.8iamque frustra saepe concilio advocato cum pro antiquatis rogationes essent: “bene habet” inquit Sextius; “quando quidem tantum intercessionem pollere placet, isto ipso telo tutabimur plebem.
And when, the assembly having now been summoned in vain many times, the proposals were as if rejected, Sextius said: "It is well; since indeed it pleases you that the veto should have such power, we will protect the plebs with that very weapon.
§6.35.9agite dum, comitia indicite, patres, tribunis militum creandis; faxo, ne iuvet vox ista “veto,” qua nunc concinentes collegas nostros tam laeti auditis. ” haud inritae cecidere minae; §6.35.10comitia praeter aedilium tribunorumque plebi nulla sunt habita.
Come then, patricians, proclaim the elections for creating military tribunes; I will see to it that that word 'I forbid' does not delight you, which you now so joyfully hear our colleagues singing in harmony." The threats did not fall in vain; no elections were held except those of the aediles and tribunes of the plebs.
Licinius Sextiusque tribuni plebis refecti nullos curules magistratus creari passi sunt; eaque solitudo magistratuum et plebe reficiente duos tribunos et iis comitia tribunorum militum tollentibus per quinquennium urbem tenuit.
Licinius and Sextius, having been re-elected tribunes of the plebs, did not allow any curule magistrates to be elected; and this vacancy of magistrates, with the plebs re-electing the two tribunes and these preventing the elections of military tribunes, held the city for five years.