The Partial Recap - 430s BCE

We recap the confusing details of the 430s BCE. Be careful - there's a lot of dictators about! This is a short, sharp, scripted overview of all the big events that defined the 430s BCE. If you’re inspired to delve into more details, all the episodes from this decade can be found in our Foundation of Rome series starting with Episode 127: The Assassination of Spurius Maelius. The Partial Recap - 430s BCE A view to the East over the Roman Forum with the Temple of Saturn on the left and the Palatine Hill on the right, showing the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Arch of Titus, Santa Francesca Romana, and the Colosseum. Detail from the photograph by Nicholas Hartmann, June 1976. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under license. Sound Credits Our music was composed by the incomparable Bettina Joy de Guzman. Automated Transcript Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians, Dr G 0:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome. Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad Dr G 0:34and I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories. Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Welcome to the Partial Recap for the 430s BCE. Dr G 1:12I'm Dr. G. Dr Rad 1:14And I'm Dr. Rad Dr G 1:15And this is our highlights addition of the 430s in Rome will take you through from 439 to 430. In an epitome of our normal episodes Dr Rad 1:27Perfect for those mornings when you don't want some lengthy rhetoric with your coffee. But Please be warned. The Roman world is a violent one Dr G 1:34Get ready for a re-cappuccino. Dr Rad 2:02439 BCE. In 439 BCE, the consuls were Agrippa Menenius Lanatus and Titus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbatus, Rome was still having issues with their green supply and 439 BCE. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they were having issues with the man who had tried to solve the green crisis and to be honest, the dates are blurry here. This is more 439 and 438. An equestrian named Spurius Maelius had used his private fortune to secure desperately needed corn, something that the officially appointed prefect of corn supply Lucius Minucius had failed to do. Spurius Maelius had allegedly been using his success with the grain to curry favour and after carefully building support amongst the plebs instal himself as monarch. Funnily enough Minucius was the one to uncover this dastardly plot. Jealous much? This may somehow connect to another version of events we have in which the people overthrew Minucius and put Maelius in his place. In this time of crisis, the Romans turned to Cincinnatus, that old war horse or did they? Officially Cincinnatus was made dictator and chose Gaius Servilius Ahala, whose name means Gaius Servilius 'Armpit', as the master of the horse, depending who you believe Ahala was either just a random elite man who was given a senatorial approval to kill Maelius, or he was sent by Cincinnatus to arrest the scheming Spurius. When Spurius decided not to go quietly,